New Years Eve that is.
Yup 2009 is drawing to an end. TV, Radio and the blogosphere is FILLED with 2009 retrospectives and talks of what will be in 2010.
In reality the big switchover to a new year really doesn’t mean much. A new calendar and remembering to write ’10 instead of ’09 on things like cheques. And at the end of 1999, the end of the world..or so they thought. Now we are waiting for 2012 for that to occur…again.
But for many reasons the acknowledgement of a New Year has struck a chord with humanity…no matter what date that might occur depending on where you live and what your background is.
I grew up in Scotland. Hogmanay is a HUGE celebration leading up to the new year. The traditions go back to ancient times and pagan rituals have been mixed in with more contemporary ideas as time wore on. Being that Christmas was a regular working day in Scotland until 1958, celebrating New Years had far more cultural and celebratory importance for a very long time. This push towards New Years was also excacerbated by the staunch Presbyterianism in Scotland that discouraged ‘Christmas’ celebrations.
I am sure my mom has stories about parties and so on, but I was a child and just remember being allowed to stay up late and more of the ‘rituals’ of the event that have stuck with me throughout the years.
The biggest and anxiety inducing event was actually AFTER the fact…After midnight was and is traditionally the time to visit and be visited. And you had to make sure your ‘First Foot’ was a male and preferably, tall, dark and handsome for good luck in the following year. This sucks if you don’t know anyone like that.
I don’t recall anyone coming to our house after midnight, but I do remember mom going on about WHO was the first on the door step the next day.
Preparing around the house for the New Year is what has stuck with me the most. My mom always liked to change the linens. So that we started the year with a clean bed! You also swept the front door for your impending first foots too.
So cleaning has sort of stuck with me as the thing you have to do…and even here, right now…while I am sitting here typing unwashed and in my jammies TOTALLY sleep deprived…I am having twinges of anxiety about NOT having cleaned up around the place!
As a child, I didn’t really get what the deal was…only that if ‘felt’ important. I am sure that is how my kids view it today. Only now really at the ripe old age of 7, does Adam start to see WHY we were ‘counting down’…and I had a chuckle listening to him remind and explain it all to his little sister.
And yes, New Years is different things to different people. For the young or young at heart, the eve is an excuse for a big party…a time to drink a leeeetle too much. January first being the day you swear that you will never ever drink again!
Oh how many mornings did I say that over the years….sigh.
I remember some really fun parties. I remember some really stupid parties. I remember getting anxious about what is now totally stupid. How being young and single meant you HAD to find SOMEONE to kiss at the stroke of midnight. I remember the smugness of HAVING someone to kiss at the stroke of midnight.
I remember enjoying going from souless and over priced clubs to house parties to see the New Year in. Then it was MAYBE at someone’s house for drinks and dinner or at our place…but quiet..more relaxed.
Now, with children in the picture, I am lucky if I can frankly LAST till midnight. And while I honestly HATE all the New Years shows on the television, I will gamely watch them with the kids. I will bring out the noise makers and bang pots and pans on the door step..for them.
So the rituals keep going. The feeling of importance lives on as we steel (with a tad bit of trepidation) ourselves for what another year will bring us and the rest of the world.
Tonight we will spend the evening with friends who are also parents and the celebrations will revolve around them and we will look briefly into the past, grumble about the present and wonder about the future.
Oh and check out the Edinburgh Hogmanay website to see how celebrating New Years is REALLY done. Compared to Vancouver…which sucks lame weenies.
Found you via Twittermoms. Not sure how old your kids are, but my youngest is 10 and we went to a great family party last night. We lasted just past midnight and had a great time. We made our fun happen. I hadn’t heard of Hogmanay before, thanks for spreading the word. As I’m reading, I’m thinking back through the generations, trying to make sense as my grandmother was from Scotland. Lots to explore there. Thanks!
.-= Sue´s last blog ..Closet Organization: A New Way for 2010 =-.
Happy New Year!
And those traditions sound pretty cool. I grew up here, and we definitely DO suck lame weenies in comparison!
.-= Amber´s last blog ..Memories of 2009 =-.
I was born in Scotland too. we left when I was 3 so I don’t remember much. Dad always talked about Hogmanay> It’s his
favourite celebration. I guess it didn’t hurt that he was tall dark and handsome so always welcome as a first footer. We live in NZ and growing up I always remember sitting around a bonfire at new year and dad reciting poems and singing which was the duty of any first footer – you had to be able to perform to earn your drink!! Thanks for the memories.