The New Year’s tradition for most Americans usually involves making noise, drinking too much spending a lot of money to go to a fancy club or hotel for a party of virtual strangers, and, of course, watching the ball drop in New York City.
But since New Year’s is something that happens around the globe, many cultures have traditions that have been celebrated for generations. Here are some traditions steeped in history that make us look pretty simple:
- Muslims celebrate the New Year by wearing new clothes.
- In England, on the stroke of midnight, people open the back door to symbolize “letting the old year out”. It is also traditional to ask the first dark haired man you see to come through the front door carrying salt, coal and bread. This symbolizes that this year everyone will have enough money (salt), food (bread), and warmth (coal).
- Southeast Asians release birds and turtles to assure themselves good luck in the twelve months ahead.
- Hindus leave shrines next to their beds so they can see beautiful objects at the start of the New Year.
- In Wales it is believed that you should pay off all debts before the New Year begins, since ending a year in debt means a whole new year of debt.
- The Scots celebrate Hogmanay. The word comes from the name of an oat cake that was traditionally given out to children on New Year’s Eve. At midnight the “first footing” takes place; the first person to set foot in a home at the New Year is believed to affect the fortunes of all who live there. Strangers are especially thought to bring good luck.
- Japanese prepare rice cakes at a social event the week before the New Year and on New Year’s they give out colorful little envelopes with money in them, called otoshidama, to children.
These traditions make me want to start in your home. Try one or two of these traditions with your family and friends each year to make the holiday a meaningful and fun one:
- New Year’s Activity Countdown: Keep your family members (and the kiddos!) entertained with an activity countdown on New Year’s Eve! For every half hour increment leading up to midnight (begin when the party starts, around 7 or 8 pm), write out an activity on a slip of paper. Store the slips in envelopes, wrapped boxes, or inflated balloons with the time on them. Open the envelope/box or pop the balloon when the time arrives and begin the activity! For kids, activities might include decorating cookies, eating ice cream, or playing with sparklers. For adults, make the activities more age appropriate. A champagne toast, setting off fireworks, or playing charades would be a great way to keep the party going!
- Who’s First? New Year’s Tradition: After the ball drops, play a fun game with family and friends! Fill a jar with slips of paper describing “firsts” of the New Year. Pull slips from the jar and read them aloud. The first person to perform the task gets a point, and after reading all the slips, whoever has the most points wins a prize. Try some of these activities (some for kids and others for adults): first to do a cartwheel, first to drink a shot, first to get a kiss, first to pat their head and rub their stomach at the same time, first to hop on one foot for 30 seconds, first person to whistle a tune, etc.
- “Good Things” Jar: Put a slip of paper describing something good that has happened to you or your family for each day, starting on New Year’s Day and ending the day before New Year’s Eve. So it seems less daunting, make this a family responsibility with a different person adding a “good thing” for each day of the week. On New Year’s Eve, read the slips out loud to not only reminisce but to also have a good laugh! After reading all of the slips before the ball drops, empty the jar and begin again the next day!
- New Years’ Time Capsule: On New Year’s Eve, have the kiddos decorate a shoebox and write letters to their future selves describing their resolutions for the upcoming year. Store the time capsule in a dry place, and open it up the following New Year’s Eve. Everyone will be surprised by how much they’ve grown and changed over the past year!
- Family New Year’s Scrapbook: On New Year’s Eve, have each family member make a scrapbook page to remember what has happened over the past year. People may commemorate their big job promotion, a new baby in the family, a school play in which they were the lead, or a soccer tournament win. Over the years, you’ll create a scrapbook to remember your family’s best experiences!
- New Year’s Home Video: Every New Year’s Eve create a home video where each family member answers the same questions year after year. Then, watch the home videos from previous years and see how the kids have grown and how the family has changed. Try this list of questions to help you get started:
I am most thankful for…
This year I plan to…
The funniest thing that happened this year was…
The most embarrassing thing that happened to me this year was…
I will always remember how…
I want to thank _______________ for…
I am lucky because…
If I had three wishes, I would wish…
It was a lot of fun when…
Describe favorite food, color, school subject, sport, etc.
- Something NEW! Every New Year’s Eve, plan an outing with family and friends to do something completely new! This may be going to the NEW Italian restaurant that opened down the street or going to see the NEW blockbuster that opened that weekend. Whatever it is, this tradition gets everyone exploring and trying something they may have never tried before (a good resolution, by the way)!
- Midnight Snack Survival Kits: After the ball drops, hand out midnight snack survival kits to keep up the energy! Fill personalized New Year’s favor bags with a fortune cookie, miniature candy bars, homemade cookies, and some hot cocoa. These energy boosters will keep family and friends going well into the wee hours of the morning.
- Cookie Delivery: Start off the New Year right by baking and decorating cookies with the kiddos on New Year’s Eve. Make up a plate for each neighbor, and after the ball drops, deliver them with the kids around the neighborhood. The adage “treat your neighbor as you would want to be treated” never tasted so good!
10 Good Luck Foods for the New Year
Find out which traditional eats are symbols of a fortune-filled future.
In many Asian countries, long noodles are eaten on New Year’s Day in order to bring a long life. One catch: You can’t break the noodle before it is all in your mouth. Try these recipes: Soba Noodles with Shrimp, Snow Peas, and Carrots; Sesame Noodles; or Tofu and Vegetable Stir-Fry with Noodles.
Soba Noodles with Shrimp, Snow Peas, and Carrots
- ¼ c. creamy peanut butter
- 2 tsp. peeled grated fresh ginger
- 2 tbsp. low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tbsp. distilled white vinegar
- 1 tsp. Asian sesame oil
- ½ tsp. cayenne pepper sauce
- 1 package soba noodles
- ½ bag shredded or matchstick carrots
- 1 lb. large shrimp
- 4 oz. snow peas
- ½ c. fresh cilantro leaves
- In small bowl, place peanut butter, ginger, soy sauce, vinegar, sesame oil, and cayenne pepper sauce; set aside.
- Heat covered 5- to 6-quart saucepot of water and 1 teaspoon salt to boiling over high heat. Add noodles and cook 4 minutes. Add carrots and cook 1 minute. Add shrimp and snow peas and cook 2 minutes more. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta cooking water. Drain noodles, shrimp, and vegetables into large colander. Transfer noodle mixture to large bowl.
- With whisk, beat reserved cooking water into peanut-butter mixture until well blended. Add peanut sauce and chopped cilantro leaves to noodle mixture in bowl and toss until evenly coated.
- To serve, spoon into 4 large bowls; garnish each serving with a cilantro sprig.
Teriyaki-Style Noodles With Tofu
- prep 15 min cook 10 min
- serves 2
This rich, Japanese-style broth, flavored with vibrant fresh herbs, ginger, and garlic, peps up firm tofu and long strands of earthy buckwheat noodles.
- 5 ounces soba (Japanese buckwheat noodles)
- 2 cups mixed vegetables (asparagus tips, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, or green beans)
- 1/3 cup reduced-sodium soy sauce
- 1 1/4 cups vegetable broth
- 4 tablespoons rice wine (sake or mirin) or dry sherry
- 10 ounces firm light tofu, diced
- 2 spring onions, chopped
- 1 fresh red chili, seeded and chopped
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 large garlic clove, crushed
- 1/2 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
A common good luck food in the southern United States, black-eyed peas are thought to bring prosperity, especially when served with collard greens. Try these recipes: Hoppin’ John; Pulled Pork Pot Pie; or Baked Black-Eyed Peas.
Hoppin John Stew
Makes: 4 servings
Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 35 mins
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 1 cup long-grain rice
- 1 32 ounce container (4 cups) vegetable broth
- 1 bunch collard greens, stems discarded and leaves coarsely chopped
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 2 15 1/2 ounce cans black-eyed peas, rinsed
- 3 tablespoons cider vinegar
- Salt and pepper
- In a large saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the rice and cook, stirring often, until lightly toasted, about 5 minutes. Stir in the vegetable broth, collard greens and thyme. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat to medium-low, cover and cook for 15 minutes.
- In a small bowl, coarsely mash 1 cup black-eyed peas. Add them to the pot along with the remaining black-eyed peas and 3 cups water and simmer until the rice is tender, about 10 minutes. Stir in the vinegar and season with salt and pepper.
Pulled Pork Pot Pie
- 1 package frozen chopped collard greens
- 1 box corn-muffin mix*
- 1 container refrigerated barbecue sauce with shredded pork
- 1 can black-eyed peas, rinsed and drained
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
- Remove frozen collard greens from package. In small microwave-safe bowl, heat collard greens in microwave oven on High 2 to 3 minutes or just until greens are mostly thawed but still cool enough to handle. Squeeze greens to remove excess water.
- Prepare corn-muffin mix as label directs for corn bread, but do not bake.
- Spread sauce with pork in bottom of 1 1/2-quart glass or ceramic baking dish. Top with black-eyed peas and collard greens. Spoon batter evenly over greens. Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until filling is hot and top is well browned.
In Germany, Ireland, and parts of the United States, cabbage is associated with luck and fortune since it is green and resembles money. Try these recipes: Cabbage with Ginger and Cumin; Five-Spice Braised Pork and Cabbage; or Corned Beef and Cabbage.
Cabbage with Ginger and Cumin
- 1 tbsp. olive oil
- 1 medium onion
- 1 small head green cabbage
- 2 tsp. grated peeled fresh ginger
- ¼ tsp. ground cumin
- ½ tsp. salt
- In 12-inch nonstick skillet, heat oil on medium 1 minute. Add onion and cook 8 to 10 minutes or until tender and golden, stirring occasionally.
- Add cabbage, ginger, cumin, and salt, and cook 11 to 14 minutes or until cabbage is tender-crisp, stirring occasionally.
Nutritional information is based on a 1-cup serving.
Corned Beef and Cabbage
- 8-inch square cheesecloth
- 12 Parsley stems
- 2 clove garlic
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tbsp. black peppercorns
- 1 corned beef brisket
- 1½ lb. small red potatoes
- 1 lb. carrots
- 1 small head green cabbage
- In cheesecloth, wrap parsley, garlic, bay leaves, and peppercorns; tie with string and place in bottom of 5 1/2- to 6-quart slow cooker. Add corned beef; top with potatoes and carrots. Pour in enough water to cover meat. Place cabbage on top. Cover slow cooker with lid and cook on low setting 10 to 12 hours or until beef is very tender.
- To serve, thinly slice corned beef across the grain; transfer to warm large platter with vegetables.
Thought to resemble coins, lentils are eaten throughout Italy for good fortune in the New Year. Try these recipes: Red Lentil and Vegetable Soup; Salmon with Lentils and Orange-Basil Dressing; or Lentil, Kielbasa, and Garlic Stew.
Red Lentil and Vegetable Soup
- 1 tbsp. olive oil
- 4 medium carrots
- 1 small onion
- 1 tsp. ground cumin
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1 can vegetable broth
- 1 c. dried red lentils
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 1/8 tsp. ground black pepper
- 1 bag baby spinach
- In 4-quart saucepan, heat oil on medium until hot. Add carrots and onion, and cook 6 to 8 minutes or until lightly browned and tender. Stir in cumin; cook 1 minute.
- Add tomatoes, broth, lentils, 2 cups water, salt, and pepper; cover and heat to boiling on high. Reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, 8 to 10 minutes or until lentils are tender. Stir in spinach. Makes about 7 1/2 cups.
Salmon with Lentils and Orange-Basil Dressing
- 2¼ c. water
- 1 c. brown lentils
- Salt and ground black pepper
- 4 piece salmon fillet
- 1 navel oranges
- 1 tsp. Dijon mustard
- 2 tbsp. olive oil
- 1 tsp. olive oil
- ½ c. fresh basil leaves
- 2 medium shallots
- ½ c. fresh parsley leaves
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. In 2-quart saucepan, combine water, lentils, and 1/2 teaspoon salt; heat to boiling over high heat. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer 20 to 30 minutes or until lentils are tender. Drain.
- Meanwhile, spray 13″ by 9″ glass baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Arrange salmon in prepared dish, skin side down. Sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Roast salmon 15 to 20 minutes or just until opaque throughout.
- While salmon is roasting, prepare orange-basil dressing: From oranges, grate 1 teaspoon peel and squeeze 1/3 cup juice. In small bowl, whisk orange peel and juice with mustard, 2 tablespoons oil, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Stir in basil.
- In nonstick 10-inch skillet, heat remaining 1 teaspoon oil over medium heat. Add shallots and cook 2 minutes, stirring. Stir in lentils. Remove skillet from heat; stir in parsley and half of dressing (about 1/4 cup). Spread lentil mixture on platter. Arrange salmon on top of lentils and drizzle with remaining dressing.
Lentil, Kielbasa, and Garlic Stew
- 2 tbsp. olive oil
- 2 lb. turkey kielbasa
- 1 large onion
- 1 lb. carrots
- 4 medium stalks celery
- 5 clove garlic
- 6 c. water
- 2 can chicken broth
- 2 can diced tomatoes
- 1½ bag lentils
- Celery leaves for garnish
- In 8-quart saucepot, heat 2 teaspoons oil on medium until hot. Add half of kielbasa and cook 4 to 5 minutes or until browned. Transfer to medium bowl. Repeat with remaining kielbasa and 2 teaspoons oil.
- In same pot, heat remaining 2 teaspoons oil on medium. Add onion, carrots, and celery; cook 15 minutes or until vegetables are golden, stirring often. Stir in garlic; cook 1 minute.
- Add water, broth, tomatoes, and lentils to pot; heat to boiling on high. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer, uncovered, 40 minutes or until lentils are tender. Stir in kielbasa; heat through. Spoon half of stew into serving bowls; garnish with celery leaves. Spoon remaining into freezer-safe containers.