I’m quite excited about celebrating the New Year and it seems that I’m in good company. New Year’s is one of our oldest holidays and is generally celebrated around the world, as noted by Owen Sheeran and Beverly Long, in two great online articles. Here are a few cross -cultural fun facts from those articles:
 

The celebration of the new year is the oldest of all holidays. It however, for everyone, has not and does not always begin on January 1. It begins on that date only for cultures that use a 365-day solar calendar

New Year’s was first observed in ancient Babylon about 4000 years ago. The first day of the Babylonian year was considered to be March 23, and a common Babylonian new year's resolution was the custom of returning something borrowed from a friend over the course of the previous year.

The Romans celebrated the New Year on January 1, by exchanging gifts and a common resolution in ancient Rome was to seek forgiveness from enemies of previous years.

Southeast Asians, release birds and turtles to ensure themselves good luck in the 12 months ahead.

Jewish people, consider the day holy, and hold a religious ceremony during a meal with special foods.

Hindus of India, leave shrines next to their beds, so they can see beautiful objects at the start of the new year.

The Chinese New Year is somewhere between late January and early February. One of their resolution customs is housecleaning and another is fireworks. So while some cultures set bonfires, the Chinese launch fireworks with the idea of cleansing the self of past sins and bad habits and starting again with a clean slate.

 Popular
New Year's
Resolutions

• Lose Weight

• Managing Debt

• Save Money

• Get a Better Job

• Get Fit

• Eat Right

• Get a Better Education

• Drink Less Alcohol

• Quit Smoking Now

• Reduce Stress Overall

• Reduce Stress at Work

• Take a Trip

• Volunteer to Help
  Others

http://www.usa.gov/Citizen/Topics
/New_Years_Resolutions.shtml

Additionally, in Chinese food customs, a long noodle represents long life and eating them brings a long life and good health. The noodle cannot be cut and must make it to the mouth in one piece for good luck. Spring rolls, too, are considered good luck

In Japan, for prosperity, rice cakes are consumed at a social event the week before the new year.

In Italy, lentils are supposed to bring good luck, and for some eating risotto is considered good fortune.

 In Holland, they eat doughnuts to bring good luck.

In Spain (and other Latin countries), good luck is sure to come when 12 grapes are eaten at the stroke of midnight on Dec. 31.

In Germany, eating sauerkraut at New Year's is considered good luck; and in Germany and Austria, eating pork is good luck, according to the theory, pigs root forward, symbolizing forward movement in the New Year.

Boiled cod is a New Year's tradition in Denmark.

In the Philippines, a large display of food on the table at midnight symbolizes abundance throughout the New Year.

         In America our most famous tradition is the New Year’s resolution and our food customs are abundant. "Cabbage is associated with wealth and prosperity (the word cabbage is also slang for money) and in the south, collard greens will bring money and cornbread will bring wealth."

        Of course, here in Fulton, no one would dare be found without black-eyed peas on the New Year’s table. This tradition dates back to the 1800s, around the time of the Civil War; and it is serious enough for family member to call the night before, to make sure no one forgets and to offer to share as necessary. My sister, Sandy’s, recipe is simple.  From a package of dried pies, pick out bad peas and soak overnight, or soak and rinse in warm water 30 minutes before cooking; drain and add to a large pot of cold  water, salt and pepper to taste with salt/pepper, bacon fat, slice of salt pork or slice of bacon and onions (optional). Boil until tender. There are lots of delicious family variations and a number of good recipes can be found at: http://www.basic-recipes.com/r/bep.

One such famous variation, that’s most common around the Carolinas, is the Gullah dish, Hopin’ John.  Hopin’ John practically has a culture unto itself. As described by Whatscooking America.com:

       Hoppin' John is a rich bean dish made of black-eyed peas simmered with spicy sausages, ham hock, or fat pork, rice, and tomato sauce.
      This African-American dish is traditionally a high point of New Year's Day. For maximum good luck in the new year, the first thing that should be eaten on New Year’s Day is Hoppin' John. At the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve, many southeastern families toast each other with Champagne and a bowl of Hoppin' John. If it is served with collard greens you might, or might not, get rich during the coming year.
       There are many variations to traditional Hoppin' John. Some cook the peas and rice in one pot, while others insist on simmering them separately.   Most food historians generally agree that "Hopping John" is an American dish with African/French/Caribbean roots. There are many tales or legends that explain how Hoppin' John got its name. One holds that: a man named John came ‘a-hoppin’ when his wife took the dish from the stove and another focuses on an obscure South Carolina custom of inviting a guest to eat by saying, "Hop in, John."
 

        No matter the food or the celebration, the New Year is an exciting time of renewal and new beginnings! As such, I believe I’ll adopt some of these fun new discoveries and I will resolve for 2009 to: return borrowed things, ask forgiveness from my enemies, release some birds and turtles, hold a religious ceremony during my meal and put a beautiful shrine by my bed, and, and …or perhaps I’ll just try that tasty Hoppin’ John recipe. As soon as I call my sisters and remind them, that it’s not too early to make sure to buy their black eyed peas.

Happy New Year! ... and as always
Good psychology to you,
Dr. B.