What does the new year mean to you? To many it represents a new beginning. A time to reflect on what was accomplished this year and what wasn’t. It is a time to decide what you want to accomplish this year. It means new resolutions to be made and hopefully kept.

As I was reflecting on this past year, I wondered what was in store for us in this new year. The economy is down, we have a new president, banks are not lending money, house sales are down, car sales are down. What are we to expect for this new year?

Many people will be making new resolutions to help their next year be better such as: losing weight, find a new job, be a better Mom/Dad, do better in school, stop smoking and the list goes on. I was doing some research on “New Year Resolutions” and I came across some New Year Superstitions. I think you might enjoy.

Here are just a few:

Wear New Clothes – People believe that one should wear new clothes on a New Year’s Day. This would mean receiving more new garments during the year. Red clothing is preferred for New Year’s Day since red is considered a happy color and is sure to attract for the wearer a brighter future.

Avoid Crying – It is said that one should avoid breaking things or crying and wailing on the first day of the year, if you don’t want to continue the pattern for the entire year.

Letting the Old Year Out – At midnight, all the doors of a house must be opened to let the old year escape unimpeded.

Do Not Wash Dishes – In several societies washing dishes and doing laundry on New Year’s day is said to lead to a death in the family during the year. Many people do not even wash their hair on New Year’s day.

Make Noise – Some people believe that Evil One and his attendants and servants hate din and loud noise. So, scare them away by being as loud in the New Year celebrations as possible.

Eat Black Eyed Peas – In the southern part of the United States it is said that eating black eyed peas on New Year’s Day will attract both general good luck and money in particular to the one doing the dining.

Kiss at Midnight – It is believed that kissing at midnight ensures that affections and ties will continue throughout the New Year. On similar lines, it is said, to not do this would be to set the stage for a year of coldness.

Have a wonderful New Year’s Eve and a Happy New Year.