Here in America the big push is Christmas and even though New Years is a big celebration for us as well it is more like a culmination of the holidays.
In Scotland, Christmas was banned for 400 years and up until the 1950's Christmas day celebrations did not take place and therefore held no importance. So Christmas for the Scots is really more of a recent holiday. People went to work on December 25th as if it were just another day.
The real focus however was on the pagan rite Yule tide or Yules (Scandinavian). Hogmanay has many origins and influence (French, Flemish, and Scandinavian) but the celebrations tend to be the same.
In the New Year a dark male bearing gifts of coal, shortbread, black bun, salt and whiskey should be the first to cross the threshold of your door. This tradition is called ‘First Footing’. By following this tradition you will bring good luck upon your family.
In my household (both my parents are from the south - Virginia and South Carolina respectively) we have the yearly tradition of cooking black eyed peas and hammocks or ham for good luck. This tradition stems back to Civil War days in the south when the black eyed pea crop (a staple for livestock and eventually standard meals for slaves) survived General Sherman’s army destroying and stealing crops.
The black eyed pea left untouched became a source of food and a sorce of good fortune for those who survived Sherman's siege. In the south this type of meal is called Hoppin' John. The meal can be served with collard greens and corbread. Tradition states that the blackeye pea could be a substitute for coins and the collards for green money. I've included a recipe if you would like to add this traditional culinary feast to your next New Year menu: http://southernfood.about.com/od/blackeyedpeas/r/bl30605m.htm
New Years Day or Ne'erday also had a tradition called Handsel day.
Handsel day or Handselling fell on the first Monday of the New Year. Traditionally an employer would give gifts to their employees and parents would also give gifts to their children. Handsel meant gift box. This tradition however is no longer practiced. Since Christmas is now celebrated in Scotland there would be no need to have an additional day of gift giving.
If you would like to create your own First Footing I have included links to making your traditional black bun, shortbread and my personal favorite, Selkirk bannock.
May you all have a happy, healthy and prosperous year!
http://www.rampantscotland.com/recipes/blrecipe_blackbun.htm
http://www.rampantscotland.com/recipes/blrecipe_shortbread.htm
http://www.rampantscotland.com/recipes/blrecipe_selkirk.htm
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