What’s the matter with the years nowadays? Good old fashioned years seemed to last forever, but now they race, each day gaining speed until you tumble headfirst into a brand new year. Nothing to do about it, but to live in the here and now, I guess. To celebrate each new day with (as much) enthusiasm and joy (as you can muster), even when they’re boring or hard.
2016 closes in. In the Netherlands we count down until the magic transition second into the new year has arrived, then we hug, kiss, drink champagne, contact loved ones who are far away, and head outside to light fireworks and firecrackers – usually the men, while the women chat and laugh about their boyish enthusiasm.
What do you do at New Year’s Eve to celebrate the arrival of a brand new year in your country? Is this infographic correct, or do you want to add more amazing rituals? 😀
Infographic @ Daily Mail Online
Figments of a DuTchess 
It all sounds very like the Scottish New Year!! But of course you must sing Auld Lang Syne…for the sake of times long passed, and then go first footing all the neighbours to bring in the luck of the next year 🙂 Oh just noticed Sarsm has posted all about a Scottish New Year!!
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Thanks so much for dropping in, Seonaid! 🙂 I have been listening to different versions of Auld Lang Syne, and I guess I like this one best:
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And days o’ lang syne!
Chorus:
For auld lang syne, my dear
For auld lang syne,
We’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet
For auld lang syne!
We twa hae run about the braes,
And pu’d the gowans fine,
But we’ve wander’d mony a weary foot
Sin’ auld lang syne.
We twa hae paidl’t in the burn
Frae morning sun till dine,
But seas between us braid hae roar’d
Sin’ auld lang syne.
And there’s a hand, my trusty fiere,
And gie’s a hand o’ thine,
And we’ll tak a right guid willie-waught
For auld lang syne!
And surely ye’ll be your pint’ stoup,
And surely I’ll be mine!
And we’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet
For auld lang syne!
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Wonderful and very authentic Marion….Ill be singing it tomorrow night with friends and family😊
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Iceland goes insane with fireworks on New Years Eve. A popular place to meet and let off the fireworks is Hallgrimskirja Cathedral – It’s one of the high points in town (Reykjavik). There are no rules about who can fire their rockets into the air or throw crackers onto the ground – it’s exciting, dangerous and heaps of fun 🙂
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And is that where you will be on New Year’s Eve, Andy? Sounds like a marvelous way to welcome 2016. Have fun!
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Reblogged this on Photo ni Ompong and commented:
True… In the Philippines, folks would usually have something that is round on the table, on their pockets, and the clothes they wear during New Year which they believe will bring luck and prosperity.
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So something round brings prosperity. That is very interesting, Ompong, thank you! Wishing you all the best in good health in 2016.
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Well…I think we have about the same traditions here in Sweden as you have in your country. There is a short TV-comedy we Swedes Always watch though…Dinner for One!
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Hahaha I’m laughing out loud, thank you SO much 😀 When he pulls back her chair and she shrieks ROFL. Hopping the tiger. And then the port ommigod! Way to go, James!
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I think every Swede knows all the names sitting at this table, but forgets what time he does NOT trip on the tiger!
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I live in Germany but haven’t heard of the German one!! I asked my German husband – he says it’s probably in the north!!
Having lived in Scotland and England I can concur that New Year’s Eve or Hogmanay as I prefer to call it, is a big event. When I was a child living in Scotland the Scots often put more importance on it than Christmas. We always had to sing Auld Lang Syne (everyone stands in a circle and crosses arms, and then holds hands and swings them to the tune), they also kiss and the ‘first footer’ is very important. He or she should bring a gift like coal or better still a bottle!! My parents were always tense if the ‘first footer’ – the first person to come into the house after ‘the bells’ – did not come bearing gifts as it was considered to be bad luck for the coming year.
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A jam-filled donut… have never heard of that either, Sarah! Though I’d love one at midnight haha. Or an ‘oliebol‘ mmmm. Which is a traditional Dutch/Belgian treat.
Will you sing Auld Lang Syne with your family? And I hope and wish that the first footer and everyone else will bring you something nice, preferably many bottles. 😉
Have a great and joyous new year, sweetie.
x
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