I have friends from Scotland who celebrate Hogmanay. An important part of the celebration is first-footing: the first person through the door in the new year is a bringer of good luck for the coming year. As Wikipedia says: The first-foot usually brings several gifts, including perhaps a coin (silver is considered good luck), bread, salt, coal, or a drink (usually whisky), which respectively represent financial prosperity, food, flavour, warmth, and good cheer.
Well, nothing like reading Wikipedia. I know several people from Scotland, and I have been invited to Hogmanay celebrations. Through Wikipedia, I learned that Greece and some parts of Russia have similar customs.
In a similar manner, this first blog post of the year is full of good wishes for the New Year. Starting off on the right foot, so to speak.
Happy New Year! May it be a year of peace, health, prosperity, food, flavor, warmth and good cheer for everyone!
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P.S. Yes, this post is a little late, but Wikipedia has saved me again. According to Wikipedia, Hogmanay celebrations and visiting can last until mid-January. My own experiences with Hogmanay were one-night celebrations, but indeed...why stop a good thing while people are still having fun?
