Looking ahead to the New Year

Hard to believe but Christmas Day is already past and it is now time to look ahead to the New Year.
One thing about this year’s Christmas; it was definitely the strangest weather I can remember. Fifty-two degrees and rain on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in Minnesota is pretty unbelievable.
I can’t recall being anywhere it was that warm on December 25 since the 1980s and early 1990s when I was living in Dallas and then in the Washington DC area.
Like every year, 2023 has seen its’ shares of ups and downs. No matter how one looks back on the year soon to be history, we all like to look forward to what is to come in the next 12 months and that often requires making New Year’s resolutions. Have you ever wondered what the most common resolutions are and who makes them?
According to the website YouGov, a poll earlier in December showed that a third of American adults plan to either make resolutions or set a goal for 2024 and the top priorities are finances, physical health, and mental health.
The numbers vary greatly according to age. Those under age 30 (52%) are most likely to make resolutions. The percentages drop from there on. For those 30 to 44 it is 44%; 45 to 64, 27% and for those 65 and older it’s only 18%.
I guess that means I can quit making resolutions. Which is probably for the best because like most New Year’s resolutions they were usually abandoned by February.
Resolutions are one tradition but there are many others, often including food. The tradition of eating certain foods on New Year’s Day in the new year often depends on the country or culture.
When I went to Texas I learned that eating black-eyed peas on New Year’s Day is supposed to bring good luck and prosperity. Collard greens and cornbread are also often added.
An interesting tradition comes from Spain where tradition holds one should eat 12 grapes at the stroke of midnight to bring good luck. But there is a catch. The 12 grapes are one for each month and if you fail to eat all 12 during the 12 strokes of the clock at midnight you will have misfortune.
In Japan, China, and other Asian countries, noodles are the proper food to eat on New Years Day. But there is a catch here too, the length of the noodle symbolizes longevity so it is important that you not break or shorten the noodle during the cooking process.
In Germany and Eastern Europe people eat sauerkraut to bring wealth in the New Year. The long strands of cabbage are also said to bring longevity.
For our neighbors to the south, tamales are on the New Year’s Day menu. In Scandinavia it’s pickled herring. In the Netherlands, they opt for Oliebollen on New Year’s Eve. These are doughnut-like dumplings with currants or raisins that are deep fried and dusted with powdered sugar.
There are many other New Year’s traditions, some to bring luck and others that are just fun.
Whatever your traditions, a Happy New Year from the Dodge County Independent.