30 December 2014

New Year's Traditions

Charleston, S.C.
Lowcountry folks are shopping for their traditional New Year's day meal of Hoppin' Johns and collard greens to bring prosperity and good fortune in the new year.  Not a fan of black eyed peas and greens? May I suggest the Scottish tradition of inviting a handsome, dark headed gentleman bearing gifts to cross your threshold first thing after midnight? Bringing gifts no less. I like it!
First Footing:   The first person to enter your home after the stroke of midnight will influence the year you're about to have.  Ideally, he should be dark-haired, tall, and good-looking, and it would be even better if he came bearing certain small gifts such as a lump of coal, a silver coin, a bit of bread, a sprig of evergreen, and some salt. 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 near your door before a man crosses the threshold.
Read more at http://www.snopes.com/holidays/newyears/beliefs.asp#vuL4LL6jEQIgf9ua.99
Charleston, S.C.

9 comments:

Les said...

I'll stick to Hoppin' John, this all sounds way too complicated with way too many implications.

William Kendall said...

Those are peculiar New Year's beliefs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

William Kendall said...

Now I find myself wondering why the exclamation mark did that.

Oh well, Happy New Year!

Jack said...

Joan, a beautiful woman like you should have no shortage of tall, dark and handsome men vying to be the first to cross your threshold tonight!

Charlestonjoan said...

Hahah! I suspect a good looking dark haired gentleman could make a good night of it in Scotland.

Charlestonjoan said...

Happy New Year William! Thanks for all your great comments this year! They make blogging fun.

Charlestonjoan said...

Happy New Year Jack!

Marcheline said...

Is the tradition regarding the first person to cross the threshold period, or the first non-resident of the household to cross the threshold? Because of our odd work schedules, we almost never have anyone over to the house. As a matter of fact, it may be the end of January before anyone who is not us steps across the threshold. So where does that leave us on the new years luck scale, I wonder?

Unknown said...

Hi Joan! Just to let you know how much I enjoy your photos & comments. The little pink house with wreath on door is now my go-to picture when I need a Charleston-fix! Every day!!! Thank you for sharing! ~ Dianne Coleman Yarbrough ~ (using my daughter Amy's account here)