december2014

DECEMBER 2014 -

SEXY GLAM

MAGAZINE -

But it was bandleader Guy Lombardo, and not Robert

Burns, who popularized the song and turned it into a

New Year’s tradition. Lombardo first heard “Auld Lang

Syne” in his hometown of London, Ontario, where it

was sung by Scottish immigrants. When he and his

brothers formed the famous dance band, Guy Lom-

bardo and His Royal Canadians, the song became one

of their standards. Lombardo played the song at mid-

night at a New Year’s Eve party at the Roosevelt Hotel

in New York City in 1929, and a tradition was born.

After that, Lombardo’s version of the song was played

every New Year’s eve from the 1930s until 1976 at the

Waldorf Astoria. In the first years it was broadcast on

radio, and then on television. The song became such

a New Year’s tradition that “Life magazine wrote that if

Lombardo failed to play ‘Auld Lang Syne,’ the Ameri-

can public would not believe that the New Year had

really arrived.”

Hogmanay (Scotland)

The birthplace of “Auld Lang Syne” is also the home

of Hogmanay (hog-mah-NAY), the rousing Scottish

New Year’s celebration (the origins of the name are

obscure). One of the traditions is “first-footing.” Shortly

after midnight on New Year’s Eve, neighbors pay visits

to each other and impart New Year’s wishes. Tradition-

ally, First foots used to bring along a gift of coal for the

fire, or shortbread. It is considered especially lucky if a

tall, dark, and handsome man is the first to enter your

house after the New Year is rung in. The Edinburgh

Hogmanay celebration is the largest in the country,

and consists of an all-night street party (visit their Hag-

manay website here).

Oshogatsu (Japan)

The New Year is the most important holiday in Japan,

and is a symbol of renewal. In December, various

Bonenkai or “forget-the-year parties” are held to bid

farewell to the problems and concerns of the past year

and prepare for a new beginning. Misunderstandings

and grudges are forgiven and houses are scrubbed.

At midnight on Dec. 31, Buddhist temples strike their

gongs 108 times, in an effort to expel 108 types of

human weakness. New Year’s day itself is a day of joy

and no work is to be done. Children receive otoshi-

damas, small gifts with money inside. Sending New

Year’s cards is a popular tradition—if postmarked by

a certain date, the Japanese post office guarantees

delivery of all New Year’s cards on Jan. 1.

Spain

The Spanish ritual on New Year’s Eve is to eat twelve

grapes at midnight. The tradition is meant to secure

twelve happy months in the coming year.

The Netherlands

The Dutch burn bonfires of Christmas trees on the

street and launch fireworks. The fires are meant to

purge the old and welcome the new.

Greece

In Greece, New Year’s Day is also the Festival of

St. Basil, one of the founders of the Greek Orthodox

Church. One of the traditional foods served is Vassilo-

pitta, or St Basil’s cake. A silver or gold coin is baked

inside the cake. Whoever finds the coin in their piece

of cake will be especially lucky during the coming year.

United States

Probably the most famous tradition in the United

States is the dropping of the New Year ball in Times

Square, New York City, at 11:59 P.M. Thousands

gather to watch the ball make its one-minute descent,

arriving exactly at midnight. The tradition first began in

1907. The original ball was made of iron and wood; the

current ball is made of Waterford Crystal, weighs 1,070

pounds, and is six feet in diameter.

A traditional southern New Year’s dish is Hoppin’

John—black eyed peas and ham hocks. An old saying

goes, “Eat peas on New Year’s day to have plenty of

everything the rest of the year.”

Another American tradition is the Rose Bowl in Pasa-

dena, California. The Tournament of Roses parade

that precedes the football game on New Year’s Day

is made up of elaborate and inventive floats. The first

parade was held in 1886.

Widely Observed New Year Symbols and Traditions

Resolutions: It is believed that the Babylonians were

the first to make New Year’s resolutions, and people

all over the world have been breaking them ever since.

The early Christians believed the first day of the New

Year should be spent reflecting on past mistakes and

resolving to improve oneself in the New Year.

Fireworks: Noisemaking and fireworks on New Year’s

Eve is believed to have originated in ancient times,

when noise and fire were thought to dispel evil spirits

and bring good luck. The Chinese are credited with

inventing fireworks and use them to spectacular effect

in their New Year’s celebrations.