New Year tradion/superstition.

[t-tony]

Something our parents did on New Year's Eve was to leave outside for each person who lived there, a piece of coal, a stick and a coin.
These were to be brought in on the first time you entered the house in the New Year.

Did anyone else do this and if you did, do you carry it on to this day?

We do.

Tony.

 

[Althulas]

I’ve not heard of that one.

 

[Brian James]

Hi Tony
Happy New Year !
Yes we carry this tradition also and have done ever since I was a young child - "learnt" from my grandparents who were based in Manchester where I believe this was a very strong tradition.
All the best to You and Yours

 

[Shelly]

We used to open the back and front doors , to let the old year out and the new year in
Does anyone do that or have anyone heard of it

 

[AleNod]

I've not heard that one. We do have a Scottish neighbour who used to do their 'First footing' when he organised a get together.

From memory, it was a tall non-blond (so no Vikings) male (couldn't be a family member) had to leave the house just before midnight. After midnight he could knock on the front door and be let in. I think he had to bring a bottle of whisky, packet of shortbread, lump of coal (was there cash of some kind, I cant remember). It was taken very seriously . . .

 

[Zephyr]

Wearing something new and red is supposed to bring good luck and strength for the whole year.

 

[t-tony]

Hi Tony
Happy New Year !
Yes we carry this tradition also and have done ever since I was a young child - "learnt" from my grandparents who were based in Manchester where I believe this was a very strong tradition.
All the best to You and Yours

Hi mate, thank you and the same back to you.

Tony.

 

[t-tony]

We used to open the back and front doors , to let the old year out and the new year in
Does anyone do that or have anyone heard of it

Yes, we’ve heard of that one Shelly. Thank you.

Tony.

 

[t-tony]

I've not heard that one. We do have a Scottish neighbour who used to do their 'First footing' when he organised a get together.

From memory, it was a tall non-blond (so no Vikings) male (couldn't be a family member) had to leave the house just before midnight. After midnight he could knock on the front door and be let in. I think he had to bring a bottle of whisky, packet of shortbread, lump of coal (was there cash of some kind, I cant remember). It was taken very seriously . . .

Hi Alex yep heard of that one too. There was a Scotsman who lived in the village and frequented the Swan. A large group of us in the village used to carry on the fun after leaving the pub and John used to carry out his “duties” as the first footer.

Tony.

 

[ktnez99]

We used to open the back and front doors , to let the old year out and the new year in
Does anyone do that or have anyone heard of it

With a piece of coal in hand…open the back door to let out the old year and then the front to welcome the new year in. It’s a family thing.

 

[hard top]

This is a New Year's Day tradition over here in the Netherlands called the "Nieuwjaarsduik" (New Year's dive) and happens at quite a few locations along the coast.

 

[t-tony]

That would explain the rise in sea level here at Skeggy then?

Tony.