Comments on: New Year Traditions (other than that whole Times Square thing)

By: Kim

Kim — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 06:50:27 +0000

I never heard of eating 12 grapes at midnight when I lived with my Mexican “in-laws” in Austin, Tx. Their tradition was eating tamales. I helped to make them, but just couldn’t eat them. Now I live with a Chilean who insists they have no special holiday traditions. Then again, he hates to observe any “arbitrary” date, even anniversaries.

By: Tiffany

Tiffany — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 17:51:53 +0000

Yes, my family eats black-eyed peas on New Years, too. The idea is that if you eat them on New Years, you’ll be financially prosperous all year. I thought it was just a southern thing.

By: John Sauls

John Sauls — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 23:06:49 +0000

Yeah, me and my family celebrated the same way we celebrate just about every year: wine, music, friends, and black-eyed peas. The only thing we have changed is having huge 3-4 hour Guitar Hero parties. OK, so it’s kinda nerdy, but StacyBee can back me up when I say it is impossible to stop playing it!
Also, I really wish I could go to the Dachshund parade- it would be hilarious.

By: Ian Schwartz

Ian Schwartz — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 15:20:59 +0000

In New York's Greenwich Village, Jason Tagg of Sonic Uke stages the Uke Drop every year. The video of this year's is here: http://www.ukuleledisco.com/ukedrop4

By: retrokatze

retrokatze — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 11:00:38 +0000

We have "Bleigießen" in Germany: Bleigießen (pron. BLYE-ghee-sen) “Lead pouring” (das Bleigießen) is an old practice using molten lead like tea leaves. A small amount of lead is melted in a tablespoon (by holding a flame under the spoon) and then poured into a bowl or bucket of water. The resulting pattern is interpreted to predict the coming year. For instance, if the lead forms a ball (der Ball), that means luck will roll your way. The shape of an anchor (der Anker) means help in need. But a cross (das Kreuz) signifies death. (Sauce)

By: Alex

Alex — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 04:07:54 +0000

Well, for Chinese New Year, it's customary for parents to give children (their own and their relatives') red packets containing money!

By: justin

justin — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 03:57:37 +0000

In Pittsburgh, PA we actually *raise* a ball on New Years Eve. Its supposed to be a symbol of sorts for a prosperous future.

By: Brad

Brad — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 03:55:13 +0000

On New Years Day, it is a tradition here in the Deep South to eat black-eye peas and collard greens to bring good luck, and eating a lot of said vegetables hopefully represents making a lot of money. Now, I can’t state it’s a foolproof way to a big raise – but it can’t hurt.

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