Friday, December 30, 2011

A Happy New Year! - Postcard Friendship Friday #96



In the United States, the Times Square Ball in New York City is lowered, starting at 11:59 p.m., with a countdown from :10 seconds until :01, when the huge sparkling ball reaches the bottom of its tower. The arrival of the new year is announced at the stroke of midnight with fireworks, music and a live celebration which is broadcast worldwide.  In our family celebrations with friends in our home, we often light small fireworks.  There is usually a crowd of young people playing games and cracking jokes.  You can imagine the noise a group of teenagers and college kids might make--at the stroke of midnight--all armed with my cooking pans and spoons!

In Greece and Cyprus, families and relatives switch the lights off at midnight, then celebrate by cutting the "vassilopita" (Basil's pie) which usually contains one coin or equivalent. Whoever finds the coin is said to have good luck for the entire year.

In the Philippines, along with spectacular fireworks, tables are laden with food for a  midnight meal.  There is a basket of 12 different round fruits to symbolize prosperity in each of the coming year's 12 months.  In Russia and the former republics of the Soviet Union, the celebration of Old New Year is greeted with fireworks and drinking champagne. Families enjoy a lavish dinner tables and an exchange of gifts.  In Davos, Switzerland, the final match of the Spengler Cup Ice Hockey Tournament is usually held on this day by tradition.

In France, people pay a lot of attention to the weather that day. This charming tradition regards the weather as the prediction of the coming year: wind blowing east, fruit will yield; wind blowing west, fish and livestock will be bumper; wind blowing south, there will be good weather all year round and wind blowing north, there will be crop failure.  
 Whatever way you celebrate the new year--it is my prayer 2012 will bring each of you unexpected joy and wonderful prosperity.

Happy New Year!

*  NOTE: You don't have to stick to the theme I choose each Friday. Just put up the postcards you love and tell us why you like them.

*  REMINDER: Comments and links which contain advertising and do not refer to any of the following; Postcard Friendship Friday, mailboxes, the Post office, postcards or the love of postcards, will be deleted.

                                                       
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12 comments:

  1. MuseSwingsDecember 30, 2011 at 8:02 AM

    Happy New Year to you and yours!

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  2. Julie GoucherDecember 30, 2011 at 8:17 AM

    Happy New Year! As a child we didn't do very much to see in the new year. As an adult I usually went out with friends and gradually as we have got older and become home birds we tend to have a quiet new year.

    My husband grew up in Scotland where seeing in the New Year is probably more of a celebration than Christmas. This introduces First Foot - just before midnight one of us is turfed outside with, the tradition stating, a coin representing money for the year, coal for warmth and bread for food. The door opens and you enter, bring with you the wealthy,food and warmth represented by the items mentioned.

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  3. Sheila @ A Postcard a DayDecember 30, 2011 at 10:41 AM

    All best wishes for 2012 to you and yours!

    My husband is a Scot, so we have the traditions that Angler's Rest describes.

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  4. MrCachetDecember 30, 2011 at 10:47 AM

    Too little time - not enough hours in the day, even when I start about four.

    Thank YOU, as usual Beth. I won't have time to visit everyone today. I am off to Puyallup, WA, to visit my brother. He is a different drummer.

    I'll return the second week of January, and will attempt to touch bases with all who visit mine, via this blog you host so generously.

    The very best to You & Yours - from Me & Mine as we all begin the New Year.

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  5. PostcardyDecember 30, 2011 at 2:43 PM

    Happy New Year, Heureuse année, Bonne année!

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  6. dakotabooDecember 30, 2011 at 2:57 PM

    A very Happy New Year Beth. Many thanks for hosting the wonderful PFF throughout the year.

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  7. PonyBoy PressDecember 30, 2011 at 4:19 PM

    Love all the traditions you posted. I am always looking for new interesting ways to celebrate the new year. Wonderful card, too! Happy New Year!

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  8. DorincardDecember 30, 2011 at 6:34 PM

    Superb postcard, great post! Happy New Year, Beth and everybody else! :)

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  9. IreneDecember 30, 2011 at 7:39 PM

    Wishing you a wonderful New Year, sound like it's going to be fun at your house. We will be indulging in special foods and a quiet evening with a movie and conversation.

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  10. GadgetSponge.comDecember 30, 2011 at 7:57 PM

    What great insight! Such a festive world right now. Thanks for another great PFF! Happy New Year!

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  11. Eva's blogJanuary 2, 2012 at 7:05 AM

    Happy New Year!!! Best wishes for 2012 from Greece!

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  12. KimJanuary 3, 2012 at 6:39 AM

    I love the artistry in turn of 1800's and early 1900s postcards and stationary and writing. It has such beauty and elegance that is near impossible to find nowadays.

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