NYE FOMO

NYE

FOMO!

No holiday incites FOMO quite like NYE (that is, Fear of Missing Out on New Year’s Eve). It’s one of those rare holidays where it almost feels like a crime not to celebrate in some way. And with social media lighting up with photos of people in their finest, celebrating at great parties… the desire to be a part of it all is hard to resist! But have you ever wondered where many of our NYE traditions come from? Here is a quick guide to what you’re missing out on… and how to celebrate this holiday wherever you are!

Resolutions

As best as historians can figure, Babylonians were the first to celebrate New Year’s, over 4,000 years ago. Without a written calendar, they began their year near the spring equinox. They made promises to their gods to pay debts and return things they had borrowed. Under the Julian calendar, January 1st (and the whole month, for that matter) was dedicated to the god Janus. The two-faced god could look both forward and backward, and his domain was gateways and beginnings. Romans made promises to Janus that they would be good in the coming year. Since then, people have continued to make plans to “do better” in the year ahead.

Auld Lang Syne

This 1788 poem by Scotsman Robert Burns was set to the tune of a folk song, and the official anthem of New Year’s Eve was born. Since most of us only know a few words, it’s usually pumped out of sound systems at the stroke of midnight.

s iss

This tradition has its roots in some very ancient winter celebrations. German and English folklore holds that the first person you come into contact with will have a direct effect on your destiny. The kiss is meant to tie your relationship together for the coming year. Awww!

i es S a all

People first started celebrating NYE in Time’s Square in 1904, but the Ball made its first appearance in 1907. But the idea of a “time-ball” is actually a little older; England’s Royal Observatory installed one in 1833 that helped captains of nearby ships to sink their chronometers at one in the afternoon.

a So e oise

From blowing noisemakers to cheering, this tradition is rooted in a superstition that noise would keep bad luck and evil spirits at bay.

o t

We’ve been toasting to important celebrations for hundreds of years. Many people have traditions of delivering a toast just prior to midnight.

i o

Several countries, including China and Australia, have a long tradition of setting off fireworks for NYE. This dramatic, festive way to ring in the New Year has spread all across the globe. In the US, we also love adding sparklers to the mix!

o in o

Since champagne found its way into bottles, we've been enamored of the stuff. Delicate, delicious bubbly is a special drink. Popping the cork feels like you're kicking off the New Year right!

o in o n

This is a tradition in the American South, brought about by slaves in the 1840s or earlier. We believe the black eyed pea came over the ocean with slaves, but the plant happens to flourish in southern soil. This dish is eaten on New Year's Day and is meant to bring good fortune in the year to come. Some families hide coins in their hoppin' johns, but I don't recommend it: instead, follow the old saying, "peas for pennies, greens for dollars, cornbread for gold."

uy a gy e e i

Okay, this isn't so much a tradition as a hangover from the long holiday season. While many people are making their New Year's resolutions, they often commit to improving their health. It's so common that many gyms have New Year's specials to help you get off on the right foot!

by Amanda Harper