A very British New Year
I always feel slightly left out when it comes to New Year celebrations. Sadly based within a drinking, pub culture, my Britishness means I lack any sort of New Years celebrations.
Rather wistfully, I wish I could be a part of a more unique culture which has traditions to see in the new year. Like the Spanish, who eat 12 grapes at the clocks’ strike to bring 12 months of good luck. Or the Filipinos, who serve 12 round fruits to promote an abundance of luck in the new year. I can imagine setting up the evening around these traditions and making a memorable event out of them. Furthermore, the laughs which could be generated from timely popping grapes in your mouth would be priceless.
Maybe the lack of an annual tradition creates my despondency, because I have certainly enjoyed previously New Years parties. Yet if I were to actually cross-analyse my enjoyment of these events, one common denominator comes up: food. One of the New Years I can vividly remember included a mini toastie maker. This allowed 10-year-old me to make endless portions of melted cheese o see in the new year. Another has to be when there was a communal curry being served.
Moreover, when I look at the various global New Years traditions, food seems to be at the heart of them. I love the sound of the Italians cotechino con lenticchie, which is meant to bring good financial fortune. Or the Japanese’s toshikoshi soba which manifests resilience. It certainly beats the bowls of crisps that sprawl party tables at any British celebration I have been to before.
Maybe it is down to me to take up a few of these traditions to enjoy the New Year more. Maybe they will manifest good luck for my next year’s ventures. Or maybe, by smashing a pomegranate like the Turks do, it will make the celebration more memorable.
Words by Ellen Hollingshurst (@a_bakingmess)
I prefer my grapes in a glass
New year, but same old traditions! While some prefer to indulge themselves in a full, home-cooked meal, New Year’s Eve for me is often a celebration involving music, TV and fizzy wines. Not to mention a good spread of picky party food which keeps your hunger satisfied with a variety of options, right through to midnight! If there is one night of the year where Champagne should be consumed, it must be New Year’s Eve – forget the smashing of bottles on boats, or their fountain-ous pours when celebrating sporting wins, I prefer to use the drink to bring in good fortune with the new year.
And while others may like eating grapes under a table for luck, I think I’ll just stick to eating the grapes from my martini. This might be because TikTok has turned me away from this celebration by changing the focus to bringing love, not luck in the coming year.
I love having Jools Holland’s annual hootenanny on throughout the night for a bit of fun, especially last year when Raye and Olivia Dean brought a new era twist. I can not wait for this year’s tv viewing lineup, including a special Sophie Ellis-Bextor New Year’s Eve Disco, which promises to be highly entertaining for my night in. However, regardless of whether you are celebrating out or at home, with friends or family, Happy New Year! Wishing you all the best for a lucky year to come.
Words by Molly James
Hometown pride
The idea of change attached to New Year and that phrase “new year new me” is something that does not sit well with me. It just encourages unhealthy habits of diet culture and punishment. What is more, the fakeness of New Year really irritates me. Yet, despite the culture of New Years resolutions, I still enjoy the celebrating the Eve. Not because it’s an opportunity to get plastered, but because it is the time my hometown community gets together.
I live on a street with a close-knit community. Every New Years Eve, we take it in turns to host, and everyone else brings something to eat or drink – never showing up empty-handed. Neighbours enter with bottles of prosecco and wine, carrying a variety of food: focaccia, brownies, cheeses, tortillas and salads. We will eat, drink, chat, and incorporate a quiz into the night.
My sister and I are always the quiz masters, carefully selecting different topic rounds to peak everyone’s interest and expertise. It is usually a big hit with everyone, but the enjoyment is most likely aided by the questionably-measured-cocktails, and the selection of Belgian chocolates someone has brought. It is a funny little tradition, but it is our tradition. The simplicity of some good food and drink brings a community of neighbours, who are actually friends, together. We all lead busy lives, so this one day a year we celebrate with one another – it is always a guaranteed laugh.
Words by Alaia Oscoz (@_alaiaoscoz_)