27/12/2024
Merry Christmas, Everyone
In Scotland, New Year tends to take precedence over Christmas. For my family, Christmas is a time for intimate gatherings, but New Year is when the real festivities begin. It's a tradition to shake hands with everyone you meet and wish them a happy New Year—even strangers in the street.
Did you know?
Christmas in Scotland wasn’t always celebrated. In fact, it was banned for nearly 400 years! In 1640, the Scottish Parliament made Christmas illegal, associating it with Catholic traditions. It wasn’t until 1958 that Christmas Day became an official public holiday, and 1974 before Boxing Day was recognized as a holiday in Scotland.
Scots typically decorate their homes 12 days before Christmas and take them down 12 days after. It's considered bad luck to hang decorations before this. The way we celebrate Christmas today—with decorations, Christmas trees, and festive cheer—was shaped by Victorian traditions and the influence of Coca-Cola, which popularized the modern image of Santa Claus. For me, it's not Christmas until I hear Slade and Roy Wood’s holiday classics on the radio, singing "Merry Christmas Everyone" and "I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day." Now, though, I’ll stop typing as the tradition of indulging in mince pies calls. Merry Christmas to all—make it a good one!
Enjoy a Scottish New Year
While Christmas is a family celebration, New Year is the main event in Scotland. In my younger days, the celebrations would last a week, starting on Hogmanay (New Year’s Eve) and continuing long after. It wasn’t uncommon to end up sleeping on a stranger’s floor only to party again the next day.
An Interesting Tradition: Hogmanay is not just about the clock striking midnight. Before the New Year even begins, Scots clean their homes—dusting every corner and emptying the bins. The tradition is to rid the house of the old to make way for the new, so don’t be surprised if, at midnight, you hear bins being emptied outside! It's believed to bring good luck for the year ahead.
Another important ritual is paying off all debts before midnight. There's a sense of anticipation as people gather, watching the clock closely, waiting for the moment the bells chime. When the clock strikes twelve, the entire house erupts in cheers and handshakes, with everyone wishing each other "Happy New Year!"
Why "The Bells"?
In Scotland, we often refer to the moment of midnight as "the bells." This is because we wait for the chimes of the clock to signal the start of the new year. If you listen carefully, you'll hear not only church bells ringing but also the sound of ships’ horns and fireworks marking the occasion.
Once the bells toll, it’s time for the "first foot." The first person to step over your doorstep after midnight brings luck for the year ahead. According to tradition, the first footer should be tall, dark, and handsome (I always seem to get chosen for this job!). It's considered unlucky if a redhead, blond, doctor, minister, or undertaker is the first to cross the threshold.
When the first footer knocks on the door, the host must answer. They will be greeted with a handshake and a "Happy New Year." The first footer arrives bearing gifts: a lump of coal (for warmth), silver (for prosperity), cake (for food), and whisky (for cheer). As the first footer hands over each item, they say:
"May there always be heat in your hearth" (with the coal)
"May there always be silver in your purse" (with the coin)
"May there always be food in your larder" (with the cake)
"May there always be warmth in your heart" (with the whisky)
Once the gifts are exchanged, the first footer pours a drink for everyone and raises a toast: "Happy New Year!" This tradition marks the beginning of hours, even days, of celebration.
The festivities don't stop there. As the night goes on, people walk around, visiting friends and kissing strangers on the cheek as they wish each other a "Happy New Year." This often leads to spontaneous parties, and you might end up staying at a friend’s house, waking up on a random floor!
In my family, we continue the tradition by meeting at my mother's house at 3 pm on New Year's Day. We follow the first footing rules, including not walking into the house, even though the door is usually unlocked.
A Tradition for All My Years
For all of my 60 years, I’ve always gone to the family home. We still own the same house, and this year, I’ll meet up with my family again. This is a tradition that has been passed down, and one I hope will continue even when the time comes that I can no longer be there in person, but will still be there in spirit.
A Traditional Scottish New Year's Meal
On New Year’s Day, my family gathers for a traditional steak pie dinner—a beloved dish across Scotland. With around 40 people at the table, including my six sisters, two brothers, and many nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and great-nephews, it's always a lively affair. Get your coal ready and start visiting friends and family!
Most importantly, may your New Year be filled with health, happiness, and prosperity. Lang may yer lum reek (long may your chimney smoke, a Scottish wish for health and wealth)!
Cheers to a braw Hogmanay!
