HAPPY NEW YEARS!!!!
Another year gone and so is all of last year’s resolutions. Many of us have encountered changes in our lives this year. Some of us have had some health issues; some are experiencing motherhood for the first and second times. As we approach the New Year I would like to send my best out to every one of my friends, and wish you all a wonderful new year.
Besides getting shitfaced, not remembering what you did, or remembering the ball drop for that matter. Some people throughout the world observe numerous lesser-known New Year’s customs and superstitions, a few of which I found interesting enough to share with you.
As we all know, and probably the most know would be kissing those closest to us at midnight (except k-rove who has used this opportunity over the years just to get a piece) but to ensure that those affections and ties will continue throughout the year. Failing to do so would set the stage for a year of coldness.
You should be well stocked for the New Year, with plenty of food and money in your wallet to insure a prosperous future.
You should send out all unpaid bills and debts before the first of the New Year.
This one is quite interesting, The First Footing. The first person to enter your house after the stroke of midnight will influence the year to come. Ideally, he should be dark-haired, tall, and good looking (but since I can’t be everywhere you might have to settle for Historelli) it would be better if he came bringing small gifts too. Blonde and redhead first footers bring bad luck, and female first footers should be shooed away before they bring disaster down on the household. Aim a gun at them if you have to, but don’t let them cross your threshold.
As it goes the First Footer or “Lucky Bird” should KNOCK and be LET in instead of unceremoniously using a key. After greeting everyone and dropping off the gifts that he brings he should then leave the house by a different door than the one he entered from.
I swear this is straight from the internet but it states that “First Footers must not be cross- eyed or have flat feet or eyebrows that meet in the middle.
A few quick other superstitions include
Nothing is to leave your house on the first day of the New Year, NOTHING, not even garbage recycling.
New Clothes (this one was created just for K-rove): Wear something new on January 1st to increase the likelihood of your receiving more new clothes during the year to follow.
Breakage: Avoid breaking anything lest wreckage be part of your year.
Letting the Old Year Out: Open all the doors at midnight to let out the old year.
Loud Noise: Make as much loud noise as possible at midnight. Not just to celebrate but to scare away evil spirits.
Two of traditions that I like come from different cultures:
The Spanish ritual on New Year’s Eve is to eat twelve grapes at midnight. The tradition is meant to secure twelve happy months in the coming year.
In South America "Ano Viejo" is celebrated by creating a fake person or dummy. The scarecrow-looking person will be completely dressed and stuffed with old newspapers and firecrackers. The dummy is usually placed outside the home. He represents something that happened during the last year. At midnight each family lights the dummy on fire. As the dummy goes up in smoke, the firecrackers also go off to add to the festivities. The old year is forgotten and the New Year begins.

So to all of you here at Ricky’s House, Buon Capodanno, Feliz Ano Novo, and Happy Fuckin’ New Year!!!!