For instance, you may be familiar with the tradition of a New Year’s kiss. But, just like meeting under the mistletoe during the winter holidays, there’s more to those puckered lips than meets the eye.
From a good luck kiss and collard greens, to open doors and full pantries, there are plenty of traditions and related superstitions to take part in on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day to ensure good fortune.
Even if you don’t believe in “that sort of thing,” it’s best to stay on the safe side, right? Anything to make sure 2020 and its bad luck stays where it belongs.
FOOD
Believe it or not, what you decided to eat won’t just impact your impending resolutions.
For example, eating pork is lucky because pigs “root forward” or move ahead. Sauerkraut, made from cabbage, is green, signifying money. Collard greens, black-eyed peas and golden cornbread bring prosperity. So, maybe have some fish on the table, too. They only swim one direction – forward!
Some foods to avoid for the sake of luck include anything with wings. Your good luck could fly away! Besides, chickens scratch backward, and we wouldn’t want to dwell on the past, now would we? In fact, anything that doesn’t simply move forward is a no go. For instance, lobster, shrimp and crabs scuttle sideways, so eating such could obviously bring setbacks and prevent you from moving forward.
Lastly, make sure to stock your cupboards. It’s bad luck to ring in the New Year with bare cupboards. It signals poverty and hardship ahead. Best leave that to 2020’s craziness.
Start eating smarter with a host of the library’s recipe books, or with the latest of Shawn Stevenson’s wisdom.
People & Romance
Puckering up at midnight (with consent, of course), isn’t just fun, but assures you and your loved ones a year of continued bliss.
If you just so happen to be a New Year’s baby, luck’s simply on your side always. Don’t mess with a good thing!
Money
Other than eating lucky green things, make sure to end the year with your debt paid (or, at least a solid payment plan). Balanced books, and a solid plan, usher in good fortuity. Make sure to have cash in your wallet, as well. Hang on to it tight and avoid lending any on New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day as doing so could set a precedent for the months ahead.
Millennial or not, learn how to start those uncomfortable money conversations with Erin Lowry’s help.
Get your house in order.
Finish the year with a clean house and sweep out the old on New Year’s Eve! Lest the clock strikes midnight, let the mess be 2021’s worry. Cleaning on New Year’s Day – dishes, laundry, taking out the garbage — may satisfy your inner Marie Kondo for the time being. However, it’s ideal to avoid if you want any luck the remainder of the year.
Finally yet importantly, open all the doors and windows just before midnight on New Year’s Eve to help the old year (a.k.a evil spirits/bad juju) easily find his way out before welcoming the New Year. We certainly wouldn’t want to risk intermingling 2021 with 2020. For similar reasons, make as much noise as possible at midnight. While going outside to bang pots and pans is a fun tradition, it scares off evil spirits and the devil himself, who apparently can’t tolerate loud noises long enough to want to stick around for the rest of the year.
Looking for more fun traditions, or information for your New Year’s resolutions, visit the library’s E-Branch, catalog or call either Pickerington Public Library location for help finding materials or inspiration.
Sources for further reading:
New Year’s Folklore – Traditions and Superstitions From Around The World (farmersalmanac.com)
15 Best New Years Superstitions – New Years Traditions From Around the World (countryliving.com)
9 Lucky New Year’s Food Traditions – HISTORY
New Year’s Superstitions (snopes.com)
