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New Year Traditions Across Europe
In most countries across Europe, people like to see in the New Year, usually by counting down the final seconds to a spectacular fireworks display. However, many more unusual traditions have survived in countries across the continent.
Hamiltons Removals has been organising international removals to the Netherlands, Belgium, and many other destinations across Europe, for more than two decades. Here we look at some of the more unusual New Year traditions which have survived across the continent.
The Netherlands
Towns and villages across the country see thousands of people go swimming on New Year’s Day, either in the sea or in lakes inland. This is known as the Polar Bear Plunge and originated in the resort of Scheveningen. In 2012 around 36,000 people took part.
Another Dutch tradition is to eat deep-fried food such as oil balls, and apple pies and waffles, starting on New Year’s Eve.
Belgium
Belgium is a country rich in New Year traditions. In the city of Liege they still hold the New Year sauerkraut, where the locals eat a meal of this delicacy based on cabbage. The important thing is to put a coin under your plate while eating, as this is meant to guarantee your financial security in the year ahead.
In the Walloon and Flemish areas of the country, farmers rise early on January 1 and say Happy New Year to their livestock. Children are involved in the festivities too; in and around the city of Antwerp they sing to their neighbours on New Year’s Day and receive money or sweets.
Luxembourg
People generally see in the New Year by eating simple meals of cold meat, pate and cheese to reflect the fact that Luxembourg was originally a nation of farmers. Dessert often takes the form of a butter cake in the form of a calendar, to be served with ice cream.
People give each other marzipan charms in the form of swine or chimney sweeps on New Year’s Eve, as this is believed to bring good luck for the year ahead.
France
Many of the French New Year traditions are also celebrated by the British as part of Christmas. For instance, whereas the Queen’s annual message is broadcast on Christmas Day, the French presidential address is typically delivered on New Year’s Eve.
Instead of sending cards in time for Christmas Day, the French tend to write their messages to friends and family on New Year’s Day and send them during January. And kissing under the mistletoe is generally done on New Year’s Eve rather than at any other point of the festive period.
Switzerland
The Swiss typically celebrate the New Year twice, once on December 31 and again on January 13. The reason for the different dates can be traced back to the change to the Gregorian calendar, which effectively moved New Year’s Eve back two weeks. Some people were unwilling to recognise the change and this tradition recognises the original date on the Julian calendar, also known as St Sylvester’s Day.
In the Appenzell region of the country, young people take part in the St Sylvester Mummers, which sees them go yodelling from village to village while wearing a big headdress and carrying giant cowbells. This is done both on New Year’s Eve and January 13.
Austria
Every year on New Year’s Day there is a performance by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra in the grand concert hall of the Musikverein in the Austrian capital. It always includes music originally composed by members of the Strauss family. Don’t worry if you can’t attend in person as the concert is usually televised live across Europe.
A more obscure tradition, common in Germany too, is to watch an old short comedy film called Dinner for One. It is actually a 14-minute British music hall sketch in which an elderly woman and her butler decide to celebrate the New Year, even though many of the lady’s friends have passed away. This gets everyone in the mood for toasting the New Year.
Hamiltons Removals offer international removals to the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Austria, Switzerland and a host of other European destinations. We run weekly trips to most countries on the continent.
Whatever sort of removals package you want, our friendly, professional staff will tailor one to fit your individual requirements. Follow the link above to find out more about our full range of European removals services.
Moving Home with Animals
If you are moving to another part of the UK or even abroad, you may not want to leave a pet behind – after all, they can be considered part of the family too.
Hamiltons Removals offer a specialist removals service for customers moving to all UK destinations and to most places in Europe. This means, as well as our comprehensive range of domestic and commercial moving services, we can also move pets and horses, and some vehicles, tractors and machinery.
Here we look at some of the key factors you should consider if your pet is going to be joining you in your new home.
Check the Regulations
If you are going abroad, you should establish whether you are permitted to take your animal with you, and we can advise you on this. Europe has a Pet Passports system, which allows for the free movement of animals within member countries, and are issued to all pets provided they have recently been vaccinated against rabies and have been microchipped.
Your pet may be transported as live animal cargo. In aircraft, this may mean it will be put in the hold. You should make sure your pet is as comfortable as possible and has a supply of water and food.
At Hamiltons, we can advise you on all the relevant rules and regulations which apply to animal transportation. We sort out all the paperwork involved for any moves and advise you on what injections are required and any quarantine arrangements.
Looking After Your Horses
Whether you are moving to another part of the UK or to Europe, horses need great care during the move. We treat your horse as if it is our own, with its welfare our top priority.
We make sure that it is fed and watered every three to four hours during the move, and that it is exercised properly every six to eight hours. All of this is carried out by staff who are experienced in caring for horses.
Animals Get Nervous Too
If you are moving to another UK destination, you should try to make sure your pet is introduced to its new home before the big moving day. Similarly, if you pet is going to be carried in a special case or cage during the removals process, you should give it a trial run several days beforehand.
Some animals may also get nervous of they see you packing items up in advance, so you should try to make sure this is done in rooms your pet doesn’t usually go into.
Advice for Particular Pets
Different types of animals react differently to a changing environment so will need to be treated accordingly during and after a move.
Cats get particularly nervous, so you should try to make sure they are surrounded by some familiar objects during the move, and once you have arrived, introduce them to one or two new rooms at a time. Dogs should be kept on a lead as much as possible while they become more familiar with their new home.
Smaller pets such as gerbils and guinea pigs are particularly susceptible to temperature changes, so make sure their cage is well sealed during the move and that it is not affected by either direct sunlight or draughts.
At Hamiltons Removals we offer a specialist removals service which is available across the UK and for removals to most parts of Europe, including France, Germany, The Netherlands and Italy.
Our friendly, fully-qualified staff will put together a competitively-priced package which is tailored for your individual needs. Follow the link above to learn more about our range of services and receive an online quote.