NEW YEAR CUSTOMS

Hokitika Guardian, 4 January 1933, Page 8

NEW YEAR CUSTOMS

CHILDREN AND HOGMANAY

‘ ‘ FIRST -FOOTING ’ ’ OMENS

Many quaint and curious. customs wort) formerly asociatcd Yvitli N'cyv Year’s Eve, the last day of the old year, hut in recent years many of them have fallen more and more into disuse. As far as these observances related to .the giving and receiving of gifts, to expressions of goodwill, the forgiving of w rongs and the repairing of sundered friendships, they seem largely to have been absorbed in the Christmas ,celebrations with 'which they naturally and feasily harmonise. In Scotland and in parts of the North of England, Hogmanay Yvas the name given to the last day of the old year and also to the cake that Yvas then customarily given to children. It yvjs a great occasion for the children who us-d to troop from door to door among their friends, announcing the ourport of their visit by shouting in unison some such verse as:—

Rise up, guid Yvife, and shale yer feathers, Dinna think that yvg are beggars. We bairns come oot to play. Get up and gie’s oor hogmanay.

The response expected was a piece of cake, or, in same places, spice bread and cheese and perhaps a drink of the “go'od wife’s” best breYV.

ORIGIN IN DISTANT PAST. The exact origin of the word Hogmanay ig lost in the mists of antiquity, out it has been traced back to ancient Druidic observances when the people were, accustomed to celebrate the N<yv Year,with rejoicings and saeriiiees in i„e woods and by gathering of mistletoe, which Yvas believed to bring good fortune. The Yvord is certainly related Yvitn similar French words and observances.. The gift giv'en at the New Year to ensure good luck to the receiver was'eonimonly called a handsel or hansel.

One of the most persistent and widespread of NeYv Year customs is known s “fiist footing” or visiting friends’ hous is. after midnight had marked the commencement of the New Year. Great importance used to be attached to the lirst person yvlio crossed the threshold* and his coming Yvas eagerly aYvaited, as he might be the bringer of good (*r ill fortune for all the coming year. If the “first-foot” hapened to l>e a darkhaired man ~tjie household considered itself particularly fortunate., Of course all such c-arly morning visitors were entertained with the hospitality appropriate to the occasion.

THE PRACTICAL JOKER. For long New Year’s Eve Yvas appropriated as special sphere of the practical joker, whose main idea of humour in this country at any rate, Yvas to lift 'heavy' gates from their hinges.and remove them to inconvenient distances. In country districts many a good New Year family outing Yvas ruined because some midnight reY reller had . removed the paddock gate and driven aYY'ny the horse that Yvas to have taken the party to its destination. This form of larrikinism is, hoYvever, happily being rapidly forgotten.

As a specially appropriate occasion for serious thought on the past and pious resolves for the future, the Christian Churches have always 'attached special importance! on New Year’s Fine ,when preparation is made for the coming year by prayer and meditation.