Evening star. [volume], December 30, 1956, Page 6, Image 119

About Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972

Image provided by: Library of Congress, Washington, DC

                
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Members of Woshington's St. Andrew's Society observe "First Footin'," the Scotch rit
iml at New Year's. Putting his right foot through the door is J. S. Douglas, bearing
gifts. Greeting him I left to right* are Mrs. Douglas, E. S. Smith, society president;
RAF Capt. and Mrs. David Huxley, Mr. and Mrs. Talbot Rogers at the Huxley home.
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An old trodihon in Italian villages is to throw out something old in hope that
the New Year will bring something new. Sam, Maria and Anita, children of
Mr and Mrs Frank Caruso of 12014 Georgia avenue, Wheaton, discard clothes.
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Star Photon liv Elwood Baker
INC SUNDAY STAt MAGAZINE. WASHINGTON. 0. C. DECEMSEI 30. I»S6
Continued From Preceding Page
in Great Britain, couples will form circles as the New Year
rolls in. It’s the custom for the revelers then to cross their arms
over their chests and take hold of hands on either side of them.
As Auld Lang Syne is sung, their hands will begin a rippling
motion, moving faster and faster as the singing continues. When
the song ends, the group will rush to the ring’s center, raising
their clasped hands high, amid laughter and shouts of “Happy
New Year!”
Seldom is the New Year welcomed with more rejoicing than in
the bonny land of Scotland. The Scots celebrate Hogmanay,
meaning the last day of the year. Highlight of their midnight
observance is “First Footin’”—a man, usually tall, dark and
handsome. “First foot” begins his rounds by knocking on the
doors of friends. He enters a home without a word, carrying logs
in his arms. His wood replenishes the fire. No word is said until
wine and cake have been eaten. The visitor then wishes the
household good luck.
At the same time, across the world, South Africans are carrying
on this tradition. That is, with one exception. After the clock
tolls, romantic couples may stroll hand-and-hand along balmy
moonlit beaches. For, in South Africa the New Year comes during
the summer season.
One of the world's quaintest New Year’s customs is carried
on in Italian villages. At midnight, old articles are tossed from
the family dwelling. “Out with the old, give us the new,” is the
shout. This follows behind an old hat, or maybe a shoe with
holes or a'broken chair that may sail through a window.
In Colombia, at the stroke of 12, a girl’s escort will hold 12
pennies in his palm. Each time the clock strikes, he’ll place a
penny in the palm of his lady fair. Those pennies add up to a
profit of 12 good-luck months.
While Colombian swains are counting their pennies, citizens
of the little town of Mitla, in Southern Mexico, will have their
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Photo from USSR Manitn t
New Year Eve in Russia is a gift-giving time similar to Christmas. A
mother and daughter decorate a fir tree in Moscow for the occasion.