New Years Day Superstitions and Traditions

Along with making plans for your New Years Eve celebrations and writing up your resolutions don't forget to plan for New Years Day. Don't let lack of sleep or a hangover start your new year off on the wrong foot. There are several superstitions about New Years Day that many people believe. My little Norwegian grandmother held many superstitions and was especially cautious on New Years Day since she believed that it set the tone for the entire year to follow.

Pucker up.

Kissing the one you love at midnight is said to keep you close all the year through.

Make sure you have money in your pocket.

Even if it is just one coin. To start the New Year with empty pockets would mean empty pockets all year.

Don't have a bare cupboard.

Having a full pantry and cupboard when you ring in the New Year would mean plenty of food through out the following year.

Keep your cash.

Don't spend money on New Years day and especially don't pay any bills or you will be paying out all year long.

Open up.

At midnight open a door or window to let the old year out, if not, your troubles will stay with you. Some people believe you must open all doors and windows.( Those people must not live in Nebraska. Brrrr.)

Even if it stinks.

Do not take anything out of the house on New Years Day. Not even the garbage. Superstition states you could take the luck and good fortune of the new year out with it.

The clothes on your back.

Wearing new garments will signify that you will be receiving more new clothes in the coming year. On the other hand, superstition states to never do laundry on New Years Day as it indicates a loved one will be washed away (die).

Go to your happy place.

Avoid crying on New Years day or you will be crying all year. Behave sweetly on New Years Day and the coming year will have sweet things in store for you.

Chow time.

The first of many food superstitions is to eat 12 grapes. To ensure prosperity for the next 12 months.

Eat this, not that.

New Years superstitions are abundant on this one. Do not eat fowl such as chicken and turkey as they scratch for their food and thusly you would be scratching for your food all year. Better to eat ham or pork as pigs eat moving forward. Do not eat beef as cows stand still when they eat therefore you would have no progress in your endeavors in the new year.

Soup! There it is!

Lentil soup or soup made with black eyed peas are on many menus on New Years Day because they look like coins and will bring riches to you in the new year.

Popeye's favorite.

Spinach is said to be very lucky and a menu must for New Years Day dinners for it brings financial well being. In the South people often eat collard greens or cabbage with this same superstition in mind.

Mind your P's and Q's.

Your first words of the New Year set the tone for the next 365 days. Choose them carefully!

No sharp objects.

Eat with your fork because superstition warns against using knives or scissors on New Years Day lest you cut off the good fortune headed your way.

Whether you follow these superstitions January 1st or not I wish you a wonderful New Year!