A different way to bring in New Year...
Dec 30, 2023 0:22:46 GMT
sunnydays, Jazzy, and 1 more like this
Post by Bellatrix on Dec 30, 2023 0:22:46 GMT
If your days of jumping in Trafalgar Square fountain on the stroke of midnight are long gone and watching the fireworks and Big Ben strike midnight are not doing it for you, then maybe A Scottish new years eve celebration may be your thing:)
This is the perfect way to bring some good luck to the new year.
FIRST FOOTING
Scots make sure to get the new year off on the right foot by “first footing.” The designated ‘first-foot’ is the first person to enter a home at the turn of the year with the intention of bringing good fortune for the coming year. Traditionally, the first-footer arrives bearing a simple gift such as coal for warmth, bread for nourishment, a coin for prosperity, or a dram of whisky for good times. Bad luck, however, is believed to befall a household visited by a light- or red-haired first-footer (thanks to lingering memories of Viking invaders). The first-footer cannot be someone who was in the home when the clock struck midnight, hence the party tradition of having a guest leave just before the bells so they can cross the threshold at the very beginning of New Year’s Day.
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REDDING THE HOUSE
Not the most fun Hogmanay activity, but the new year is supposed to mark a fresh start, so there’s no better time to do a bit of cleaning up. In Scotland, “redding the house,” means getting the home nice and tidy for the new year. It also traditionally included paying bills and clearing debts: always a great idea if you can do it.
The related practice of “saining” is a little trickier to accomplish. By saining, you bless your house and livestock by spreading water from a river that’s been crossed by both the living and the dead; then you walk through the house with burning juniper branches, and finally fling open the windows to let in fresh, new year air.
FIRST FOOTING
Scots make sure to get the new year off on the right foot by “first footing.” The designated ‘first-foot’ is the first person to enter a home at the turn of the year with the intention of bringing good fortune for the coming year. Traditionally, the first-footer arrives bearing a simple gift such as coal for warmth, bread for nourishment, a coin for prosperity, or a dram of whisky for good times. Bad luck, however, is believed to befall a household visited by a light- or red-haired first-footer (thanks to lingering memories of Viking invaders). The first-footer cannot be someone who was in the home when the clock struck midnight, hence the party tradition of having a guest leave just before the bells so they can cross the threshold at the very beginning of New Year’s Day.
.
REDDING THE HOUSE
Not the most fun Hogmanay activity, but the new year is supposed to mark a fresh start, so there’s no better time to do a bit of cleaning up. In Scotland, “redding the house,” means getting the home nice and tidy for the new year. It also traditionally included paying bills and clearing debts: always a great idea if you can do it.
The related practice of “saining” is a little trickier to accomplish. By saining, you bless your house and livestock by spreading water from a river that’s been crossed by both the living and the dead; then you walk through the house with burning juniper branches, and finally fling open the windows to let in fresh, new year air.
MAKE TRADITIONAL FOOD
All that dancing and celebrating can be a hungry business. Fortunately, traditional Hogmanay food is hearty and filling. Typical dishes to serve on New Year’s Day include Scotch broth (a meat-based soup with root vegetables and barley), steak pie, and haggis, and, for dessert, trifle, cranachan (made with oatmeal, raspberries, and cream), and clootie dumpling (a steamed pudding).
Interested in more ideas?