New Years Eve and Day Traditions?

My in laws open the front and back door, and I suppose we will too.  They also had my brother-in-law(who has dark brown, almost black hair) walk in the front door before anyone else could.  I guess my husband will have to do that even though his hair isn't quite as dark as my brother-in-law.  They also eat ham sandwich.  I don't know if that's for luck, but we've done it every year I've been here.

Growing up we used to clean the house and make sure we showered and washed our hair New Years Eve.  We never put up new calenders until the New Year, a superstition that I still have to this day.

They also had my brother-in-law(who has dark brown, almost black hair) walk in the front door before anyone else could.  I guess my husband will have to do that even though his hair isn't quite as dark as my brother-in-law. 

What does this mean?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First-Foot

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First-Foot

Huh. Very interesting!

It's red beans and rice on New Year's Eve in Louisiana!

LOL

Ok...I know it's a Southeastern Oklahoma thing then...lol..

LOL

Ok...I know it's a Southeastern Oklahoma thing then...lol..

No, I think you were probably right before - it's a southern thing. Louisiana just likes to be different.

It looks like it may have originally been a Jewish tradition:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black-eyed_pea#Worldwide

ETA: It looks like that bit has no references.  If it's true, that's pretty interesting.

We always have black eyed peas and cabbage. That's definitely a Texas thing.

We have developed a tradition of gorging ourselves on lobsters and cheese fondue. I end up preparing the meal while feeling very tipsy from several glasses of Veuve and then we marvel at how good everything was despite being prepared by a drunk person.  It's pretty indulgent, but after working hard all year we feel like we've earned it. Then, it's Guitar Hero, Lips, watching Jools and bed by 12:02.

On New Year's day, I usually make of pork and sauerkraut but really just because we like it. 

We have developed a tradition of gorging ourselves on lobsters and cheese fondue. I end up preparing the meal while feeling very tipsy from several glasses of Veuve and then we marvel at how good everything was despite being prepared by a drunk person.  It's pretty indulgent, but after working hard all year we feel like we've earned it. Then, it's Guitar Hero, Lips, watching Jools and bed by 12:02.

On New Year's day, I usually make of pork and sauerkraut but really just because we like it. 

I'm coming to yours for New Years! It would be worth the plane ticket to the mainland!!

New Years Day is almost always black eyed peas and rice. This year we're having a pork roast with it and corn bread.

This New Year's Eve, I expect I'll be in bed by 10pm. Earlier would be better as I can't wait to see the backside of 2009.

We have developed a tradition of gorging ourselves on lobsters and cheese fondue. I end up preparing the meal while feeling very tipsy from several glasses of Veuve and then we marvel at how good everything was despite being prepared by a drunk person.  It's pretty indulgent, but after working hard all year we feel like we've earned it. Then, it's Guitar Hero, Lips, watching Jools and bed by 12:02.

That's an excellent idea! We were just talking about fondue last night ... so that might be a good NYE option! Andd we also happen to have a bottle of Veuve just waiting for the right occasion! 

I'm coming to yours for New Years! It would be worth the plane ticket to the mainland!!

The door is open for you, M! 

That's an excellent idea! We were just talking about fondue last night ... so that might be a good NYE option! Andd we also happen to have a bottle of Veuve just waiting for the right occasion! 

FYI, Veuve is on sale at Waitrose for a really good price at the moment. 

FYI, Veuve is on sale at Waitrose for a really good price at the moment. 

No Waitroses in Cornwall.  

They've taken the Christmas decorations down already (December 30)