DECK THE HOLIDAY'S

  New Year's is a time to celebrate the end of the past year and welcome a new year.  It is a time to reflect on the past and plan for the future.  The parties and traditions surrounding this time are many and varied.  But where do they com from?  Who started them and why?  New Year's Eve has specific traditions and celebrations as does New Year's Day.  Here are some specific traditions from America and where they come from.       Auld Lang Syne      A traditional Scottish song that was first published in 1796, Auld Lang Syne is the most popular song that no one knows the word to!  Guy Lombardo played the song on New Year's Eve in 1929 and it has become a tradition ever since. The song celebrate the remembrance of old friends.          Kissing At Midnight        On New Year's Eve at the stroke of midnight, everyone kisses.  Even if you don't have someone to kiss, you wish you were kissing.  This is more than ju

   Every culture and many families have tradition's and superstitions about foods that will ensure a prosperous New Year.  With the state of the economy and all the financial woes it has caused in 2009, it might not hurt for us to lean toward the superstitious side this New Year's day.  So, if you don't have any of the following foods in your kitchen right now, you might want to make a "good luck" run to the store! Vegetables Associated with Good Luck for the New Year    There is a tradition of eating black-eyes peas on January 1st, it is a common good luck food in the southern United States, black-eyed peas are thought to bring prosperity, their shape and abundance representing coins.  Other vegetables that are considered lucky are: Lentils, they resemble coins and are thought to bring good fortune and represent growing wealth.  Greens (kale, collards), are thought to be the color of money, they are thougtht to bring wealth and prosperity. 

  When January comes along, you may think that the food holidays have come to an end, but you'd be wrong. January is filled with many food holidays. Here is a list of the food holidays you can look forward to in January.  January 1st-Apple Gifting Day - This is such a fun day to celebrate. A fun way to enjoy this national food holiday is to bake an apple pie or some other favorite apple dessert that you may like. Christmas may be over, but it's never a bad time to bake a gift for someone. January 2nd-National Cream Puff Day - If you're tired of baking, never fret. You can always head to your local bakery and pick up some delicious cream puffs. January 3rd-Chocolate-Filled Cherry Day - Go out and enjoy a handful of some chocolate covered cherries. I can't seem to find any that are filled with chocolate. January 4th-National Spaghetti Day - Who doesn't love spaghetti (besides me)? On this food holiday, shake things up by

January 1st-New Year's Day - You already knew this one. Celebrate by getting ahead start on breaking your New Year's resolutions. January 2nd-55MPH Speed Limit Day -Observe the 55 MPH holiday by driving the speed limit in your state or country. Or if you don't like it just say "I can't drive 55"! January 3rd-J.R.R. Tolkien Day -Invite a Hobbit over for dinner! YAAAA! January 4th-World Hypnotism Day - Try to hypnotise your children into doing what you want them to do. (like that's going to happen). January 5th-Bird Day - Go out and pet a parrot and keep your fingers away from the beak. January 6th-Epiphany -Go to church and ring some bells. January 7th-I'm Not Going To Take It Anymore Day - Got a beef with someone, go up to them and yell this catchy little phrase to them. January 8th-Bubble Bath Day - When's the last time you've seen any man take a bubble bath. Women, go ahead and have a &qu