New Years Day Traditions

[El Peludo]

A Very Happy New Year To You All !!!

Just curious as to how many folks have some particular thing they do on new years day in the form of a traditional meal or meals.

We were brought up with the idea that having blackeyed peas on new years day meant that you'd have a prosperous year, so we always have a mess of blackeyed peas with something - salt pork, ham, 'maters, etc, and mashed spuds and usually a standing rib roast, and whatever else might catch our fancy.  The Boss usually makes a couple of pies - chocolate merengue, and lemon merengue, usually, but something else on occasion.

[Russ T Chambers]

Normally we have our friends from Oregon over at New Years.  They didn't make it this year because of weather in the mountains. 
The basic plan is the women gather up and head to the largest movie-plex and try to cram as many movies into one day as the can.  Dad and I go to a casino with a sports book, watch sports, play video poker until our allotment run out (about $20 each).  Then it's back to the homestead and more sports on TV (not much in the way of sports today) until the women run out of movies, then it's off to a nice restaurant for supper.
Been doin' it for about 12 or so years, so I guess it counts as a tradition.

[Singing Bear]

Having a mix of Asian influences in our family, we're having the traditional mundoo (Korean dumpling) soup as well as ozoni (Japanese mochi soup).  Dad and I will be spending the afternoon grilling the ever popular kalbi.  Other traditional dishes include chap che (rice noodles with veggies), a variety of namul (seasoned veggies) and of course our sashimi (this year it's $30 per pound!  ).   Uncle's bringing Chinese food.    We don't have no Chinese in the family.   

[Steel Horse Bailey]

This isn't a meal, but it IS food related and a New Year tradition at our house.  My bride is from Scotland and this is where the tradition began for us. 

Someone has to go outside right before midnight.  Then, right after the time, they have to enter the house and they MUST have some food and/or drink to share.  This insures that no one goes hungry in the coming year. 

It's worked so far.    Matter of fact, iffn ya see me, you'll note that I haven't missed a meal in quite a while! 

[Professor Marvel]

The swedish side of the family must have Pickled Herring in white sauce immediately after midnight.
The Slovak side insists upon a a feast of Pork in one form or another on New Years Day - last year my lovely spousal unit cooked up many pounds of Pulled Pork for New Years, this year she cooked several pounds of locally grown Country Ribs. In both cases the two of us were feasting for nearly a week on the massive quantity of Pork. In both traditions, it is to ensure a prosperous year.

your humble servant
Prof Marvel

[Dr. Bob]

Prof.

What Marvelous information!    Yep, intended!

[Steel Horse Bailey]

Sounds very tasty, eh, Dr. Bob?!

(Well, the PORK part sounds good.  I'm not overly fond of eatin' things that swim.  )

[Dr. Bob]

SHB,

I kinda like the herring too!  But I will remember not to serve any to you.

[Arcey]

I'm not overly fond of eatin' things that swim. 

Awwwwwwww, Steel Hoss. Seafood, mi amigo. Food fer the mind.

Are ya tellin' me ya wouldn't pull a rock from the shallows, pry it open ta find a wad of snot inside, cut it out then eat it raw? That's sum goooood eatin', pard.

C'mon o'er ta duh beach. We'll gets us a passel ah oysters, on me, 'n some long necks, ice cold. Maybe sum crab if they've found a recent floater near by. Crab cakes mighty good if they been fed right.

Show up it New Year's 'n we'll add us ah mess ah collard greens 'n black eyed peas fer a feast 'n the most prosperous of ah year.

Yum, yummmmmmmmm! 

No desert. Ya got room left ya ain't et 'nuff.

[Steel Horse Bailey]

Howdy Dr. Bob!

SHB,

I kinda like the herring too!  But I will remember not to serve any to you.

Thank you!  I 'preciate your kind considerations.  Yer a FINE gent ... no matter WHAT them others say. 

You KNOW I'm pullin' yer leg.  NOBODY talks bad 'bout you.  I won't let 'em!

Awwwwwwww, Steel Hoss. Seafood, mi amigo. Food fer the mind.

Are ya tellin' me ya wouldn't pull a rock from the shallows, pry it open ta find a wad of snot inside, cut it out then eat it raw? That's sum goooood eatin', pard.

C'mon o'er ta duh beach. We'll gets us a passel ah oysters, on me, 'n some long necks, ice cold. Maybe sum crab if they've found a recent floater near by. Crab cakes mighty good if they been fed right.

Show up it New Year's 'n we'll add us ah mess ah collard greens 'n black eyed peas fer a feast 'n the most prosperous of ah year.

Yum, yummmmmmmmm! 

No desert. Ya got room left ya ain't et 'nuff.

Arcey, yore invite is durned neighborly and I thank you.  But don't hold yer breath waitin' fer me.  Now iffn ya tell me I can come over and SHOOT some of them ghastly sea critters and YOU'LL eat 'em, I'll come! 

Food fer the mind?  Well, I guess that 'splains a LOT 'bout ME!    No - I don't want no fresh snot. 

Now them long necks at the beach do sound good!  Is tomorrow gonna be too cold?  I was 'fraid so.

Thanks, mon ami'!  Yer a keeper!

[Arcey]

Make it July. The walkin' scenery is more plentiful then. Sit out on the beach. Bring yer shotgun. I'll shuck 'n eat then sail the shells on out there 'n ya kin practice yer aerials. Then we'll go get us some hot dogs er sloppy cheeseburgers.

[Ol Gabe]

Ah, memories...
SHB was referring to 'First Footing' in Scotland where the 'first foot'/'first guest' inside the door on New Year's must by tradition bring a bit of salt and bread to guarantee a good New Year. We always wondered how everyone got around so fast and exactly at Midnight, but it makes for a good legend and tradition.
Our Norse folks, all Iowegians, were mostly farmers, and as a child in the 50's we would get together New Year's Eve after chores to have a big family meal, play cards and watch something on TV to bring in the New Year. We would have a big home-grown meal of baked Ham, baked potatos, sweet corn and other goodies from the garden put up special for the holidays. Pies, cakes and candies with popcorn balls during our card games, mostly '500' or 'Pepper'. The Mom's would take the leftover ham and slice it for sandwiches and chop up some for Hash with the leftover baked 'taters for breakfast.
On New Year's morning we would gather again and have a big brunch starting off with coffee and fresh cream from the farm, Norwegians always have coffee first! We had fresh-baked sweet flat breads with the strong coffee and then we'd go watch the New Year's Day parade. For our brunch we enjoyed various boiled and fried sausages, scrambled eggs, fried 'taters, real homemade Hash from the Ham the night before, fresh-squeezed orange juice as a special treat, Rye toast and homemade jellies. After a short nap the football game food would be laid out and it always included slabs of ham, roast beef and cold cuts for sandwiches, various homemade pickles, black and green olives when available, sliced onions in vinegar, any leftover pie or cake and more popcorn with an extra-special treat of Herring, both pickled and salted. The folks called the salted and dried Herring 'Blind Robins', they could only get it around holiday season and it came in a small wooden box with a sliding lid and the dried fish wrapped in brown paper. It was a challenge to eat a whole Herring that way but one that was never refused, we teased each other til we finished one as part of the festivities. It took several bottles of a beverage to quench the thirst brought on by the 'Blind Robins' and us kids would enjoy our special treat of soda which was only purchased for the holidays. As an adult we would enjoy it with a much more potent adult beverage and it became part of our family's annual get-together. The small wooden boxes were saved and used for nails, screws or other pieces-parts in the shop. The pickled Herring came in small jars in vinegar or cream sauce and was served plain or on toast and it was devoured first! 
Today with all the old folks long gone, New Years' Eve TV not very interesting, the only parade coverage worth watching on HGTV and our own kids off on party treks, we just rent a movie and have a toned-down version of the same meals and catch a nap. I still buy some 'Blind Robins' when I can find them but today they come sealed in plastic on foam and alas, don't seem to be quite the same. The pickled is still available in jars and is as good as it was then, maybe better.
Ah, memories...life was good and still is.
Best regards and good eating!
'Ol Gabe

[Steel Horse Bailey]

Greetings!

Arcey -

Make it July. The walkin' scenery is more plentiful then. Sit out on the beach. Bring yer shotgun. I'll shuck 'n eat then sail the shells on out there 'n ya kin practice yer aerials. Then we'll go get us some hot dogs er sloppy cheeseburgers.

Sounds good, amigo!
Ol' Gabe -

Ah, memories...
SHB was referring to 'First Footing' in Scotland where the 'first foot'/'first guest' inside the door on New Year's must by tradition bring a bit of salt and bread to guarantee a good New Year. We always wondered how everyone got around so fast and exactly at Midnight, but it makes for a good legend and tradition.
Our Norse folks, all Iowegians, were mostly farmers, and as a child in the 50's we would get together New Year's Eve after chores to have a big family meal, play cards and watch something on TV to bring in the New Year. We would have a big home-grown meal of baked Ham, baked potatos, sweet corn and other goodies from the garden put up special for the holidays. Pies, cakes and candies with popcorn balls during our card games, mostly '500' or 'Pepper'. The Mom's would take the leftover ham and slice it for sandwiches and chop up some for Hash with the leftover baked 'taters for breakfast.
On New Year's morning we would gather again and have a big brunch starting off with coffee and fresh cream from the farm, Norwegians always have coffee first! We had fresh-baked sweet flat breads with the strong coffee and then we'd go watch the New Year's Day parade. For our brunch we enjoyed various boiled and fried sausages, scrambled eggs, fried 'taters, real homemade Hash from the Ham the night before, fresh-squeezed orange juice as a special treat, Rye toast and homemade jellies. After a short nap the football game food would be laid out and it always included slabs of ham, roast beef and cold cuts for sandwiches, various homemade pickles, black and green olives when available, sliced onions in vinegar, any leftover pie or cake and more popcorn with an extra-special treat of Herring, both pickled and salted. The folks called the salted and dried Herring 'Blind Robins', they could only get it around holiday season and it came in a small wooden box with a sliding lid and the dried fish wrapped in brown paper. It was a challenge to eat a whole Herring that way but one that was never refused, we teased each other til we finished one as part of the festivities. It took several bottles of a beverage to quench the thirst brought on by the 'Blind Robins' and us kids would enjoy our special treat of soda which was only purchased for the holidays. As an adult we would enjoy it with a much more potent adult beverage and it became part of our family's annual get-together. The small wooden boxes were saved and used for nails, screws or other pieces-parts in the shop. The pickled Herring came in small jars in vinegar or cream sauce and was served plain or on toast and it was devoured first! 
Today with all the old folks long gone, New Years' Eve TV not very interesting, the only parade coverage worth watching on HGTV and our own kids off on party treks, we just rent a movie and have a toned-down version of the same meals and catch a nap. I still buy some 'Blind Robins' when I can find them but today they come sealed in plastic on foam and alas, don't seem to be quite the same. The pickled is still available in jars and is as good as it was then, maybe better.
Ah, memories...life was good and still is.
Best regards and good eating!
'Ol Gabe

They call it (over there) "Hoggmannay" (No IDEA 'bout the correct spelling ... I jes' spelled it phonetically.)

Yep, originally it was salt 'n bread and it's also still done in the part of Germany I was stationed in - Hesse. (Where the Hessian soldiers came from.)  Probably done elsewhere, too - I just don't know.  The salt and bread tradition is also followed in Germany to welcome a new family who moves into the neighborhood.  It's pretty cool to follow the "old ways" and a shame that as our oldtimers pass, so do many of the traditions.