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Unusual New Year Traditions Around the World
Most people are familiar with the idea of seeing the New Year in – in the UK, at least – by staying up late on December 31, watching the fireworks and singing Auld Lang Syne when the clock finishes striking midnight. But if you are moving to another country, what customs and traditions will you be expected to follow?
Hamiltons Removals offer Norfolk international removals to countries in Europe and further afield; here are some of the more unusual – and the more widespread – customs you might have to follow in your new home country at the advent of the new year.
Scotland
Most people will be familiar with Hogmanay, which refers to the end of the year, but for the Scots, the celebration can (and usually does) go on for another day or two – 2nd January is a public holiday there as well 1st January (New Year’s Day).
One of the oldest Scottish traditions is that of the ‘first foot’, also known as quaaltagh or qualtagh. It dictates that the first person to cross a house’s threshold after midnight on New Year’s Eve should come bearing gifts. These gifts can be coins, coal, bread, salt, and a “wee dram” of whiskey, to bring the best luck for the house – something to bear in mind if you are considering removals to Scotland.
Spain
Moving into continental Europe, the Spaniards have one unusual New Year tradition – of eating 12 grapes, one for every strike of the clock when it hits midnight. Legend has it, if you finish them in time, you will enjoy good luck all through the 12 months to come.
The tradition of the las doce uvas de la suerte (the 12 lucky grapes) is said to have originated in 1909 when a Spanish region had an exceptionally fine grape harvest.
If you are thinking of removals to Madrid, the main public celebration of New Year’s Eve is held at Puerta del Sol in the city, where revellers await the midnight chimes of the clock tower at the Royal House of the Post Office.
Portugal
In neighbouring Portugal, there is another food associated with New Year – the raisin. The tradition is to drink champagne and eat 12 raisins – one for each month of the year, making a wish for each.
Another Portuguese tradition is eating a special cake called Bolo-Rei (King Cake). It’s a round cake with a large hole in the centre, resembling a crown covered with crystallized and dried fruit. Inside is hidden the characteristic fava broad bean. Tradition dictates that whoever finds the fava has to pay for the Bolo-Rei next year.
Germany
Here the comedy sketch Dinner For One, is always broadcast on TV every New Year’s Eve. It’s the story of a 90-year-old woman’s birthday celebrations – but the only other person in the house is her butler James, who must impersonate all the other ‘guests’ (old friends who have now unfortunately all passed away).
Ironically it was originally written in English but has never been particularly popular in the UK. This sketch is also broadcast annually in Austria, Switzerland, Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Estonia.
At New Year’s Eve parties Germans also like to eat krapfen, a doughnut that’s usually filled with jam or chocolate, (pictured above) but sometimes with mustard as a prank.
Canada
If you are considering removals to Canada, then many of the New Year observances will be familiar if you come from the UK. There are the usual private parties, to more public street events, and plenty of fireworks and quite often some music as well.
However, there are one or two unusual ones as well – for instance it’s quite common to go away to one of the many winter sports resorts over the New Year and take part in skiing and snowboarding.
And in rural areas in northern Canada, particularly in Quebec, some people spend all night on a frozen lake with a group of good friends and fish through holes in the ice.
Norfolk International Removals with Hamiltons Removals
If you are thinking of moving abroad early in the New Year, then Hamiltons Removals can help. There are plenty of good reasons to consider it, if you want to find out more you can check out our previous blog post here.
We can help with domestic and commercial removals to Canada, Spain, and, closer to home, all parts of the UK. To learn more about our UK removals service, click here; for European removals, follow this link, and for countries further afield, click here. You can also call us on 01379 855203 if you have any questions about any of our removals services.
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