What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?
Written by Brandi Jackson
It’s hard to believe that another year is coming to a close. The last few days of 2013 are time for reflection on all of the memories of the year, both happy and sad and for planning the adventures to come in 2014. As Father Time and Baby New Year get ready for the big day, we want to know, how do you celebrate the new year? Traditions, cultural beliefs, swanky and glitzy parties or a low key evening at home with the kids? Lets explore some ways to ring in the new year.
Silver, gold and LOTS of bling! New Year’s Eve is the time to shine! Glitter your champagne bottles, add a glitter sugar rim to your guests champagne glasses, edible glitter to fortune cookies with custom fortunes, and don’t forget the sparklers and wish lanterns for the stroke of midnight! For some of the DIY ideas pictured above, follow this BuzzFeed link.
We found a fabulous blog, Living Locurto that has some great crafty ideas for a fun NYE that is chic and kid friendly. Adorable printables and plenty of crafts to get the kids involved and keep them busy while you finish setting up for the big night!
We also found Little Big Company and their glitzy glam ideas for a blinged out party!
Need some table scape ideas? We love the design that Whimsy Decor created. Elegant and timely, pun intended.
Now you have your table set, the champagne is flowing but as midnight approaches, don’t forget the grapes! No, we’re not talking about wine! In latin cultures, it is customary to eat 12 grapes, one at each chime and to make a wish with each grape at midnight. In Greece, they will smash a pomegranate on the floor at the stroke of midnight. Symbolizing prosperity and good fortune, the more seeds, the more good luck. Southerners wouldn’t think about a New Year’s day meal without black-eyed peas! As you eat your first bite, it is customary to make a wish for the new year. In addition, most Southern tables also include corn bread and collard greens. Collard greens represent money and wealth while the cornbread symbolizes gold. For the main course, you should have fish or pork, but not crab, lobster or poultry. Fish have scales, which represent coins and wealth. Fish also swim in schools which represents prosperity and they swim forward representing progress. Lobster and crab move backwards and that is considered bad luck. Pig root forward for food, again symbolizing progress thus pork is considered the luckiest meat to eat on New Year’s day, while chickens scratch backwards and should not be consumed as part of your New Years meal. Round food items such as bagels and donuts symbolize the year coming full circle.
Last but not least, make sure to have plenty of your favorite bubbly on hand.…really, what is New Year’s Eve without bubbles?! Be it champagne or sparking cider, raise that glass and toast the best year to come!
Wishing you a safe, happy and prosperous 2014 -
Clayton Gray Home
Leave a Reply