WHAT NEW YEAR'S EVE MEANT TO ME, WHEN I WAS LITTLE
After Christmas; the days were hectic.
There was not much to do, such as,
cleaning the house or buying outfits,
there was no need for all that, but
there was something else more important
for us kids, as far as, we were concerned.
All the stores and streets were decorated
for the coming of the New Year. Garlands
and Lights were shining everywhere.
There was no school and the kids were
free since Christmas to do what they
wanted.
My Mom and Dad were saving for the whole
year to buy the things each other and
the kids wanted.
Do you know what those things were?
Of cource not clothes, these were bought
at Christmas time; already.
Those things were the most desirable
things kids plan and dream; they wish
to get.
Well if you said toys; you were right.
Friends and relatives boasted of the
best toys they would get from their
parents. None imagined for the second
best, theirs would be the best.
Those days there were no electronic
toys. For my brothers there were
cameras and accessories, school
supplies, motorized and string winded
cars, tanks, plastic guns, wooden toys
of all kind that you winded, pushed
and pulled and for me there were
beautifully dressed dolls.
There were also puzzles and other
card and mechanized games and little
round containers that had a mirror
on one side and a puzzle with a ball
that you tried to place in a hole on
the other side.
The big expensive toys, you were
expecting your parents and close
relatives would give you.
The small inexpensive toys; were
exchanged between favorite friends
and relatives. You bought them
with your savings and the money
you earned from the Christmas
carrols; you sang.
So, the excitement and the fever
was at its peek; the whole week.
Going from store to store to find
that special and colorful toy that
only your recepient will have.
Also, you had to find out secretly
what your special friends wanted,
you did not want to buy something
that would be thrown in the corner.
That was life during the week between
Christmas and the New Year.
My Mom the day before she baked our
traditional sweet aromatic bread
with the number of the coming year
placed on top,like, for us this year
it will be "2005".
Then she had the table decorated
and ready for the grown ups to
have their places for their card
game that was played throughout
New Year's Eve and did not end
until the following evening.
She had fruits and nuts and cookies,
she had baked. Wine for quenching our
friends' and relatives' thirst and
for the wishes for the New Year.
It was always the red sweet wine
that all of us loved.
When the clock struck 12:00, the
lights would go off for the old
year and back on again for the
New Year, everyone kissed and
wished each other Happy New Year
drinking a little of the red
wine, my oldest brother would go
outside and enter again stepping
into the house with his right foot.
Then the bread would be cut, to so
many pieces as the number of our
family, friend and relatives that
were present at the table.
Every one would get their piece
and would start looking for the
lucky coin my Mom had hidden in
the bread. The person who got
the coin would be considered the
lucky one for that year.
The next day, we all went to the
church and brought back the Holy
Water to bless the house.
Then we all gathered to exchange
the gifts we eagerly anticipated.
From Christmas to the day after
the New Year life in my house
was like a dream.
These were my family's traditions,
that were performed with reverence,
omitting nothing. Everything done
in detail; year after year.
So, when this time of the year comes
around, I am reminded, of how
important family traditions are,
how they keep the family together,
how they instill love and affection
for each other.
I feel blessed that I was born into
that family with so much love and
tradition.
Note: It is important to have and keep in your heart; things you
did when you were in your family's houselold with your parents, brothers
and sisters, if you had any. You must continue the tradition, so your
own family reminisces their childhood tradition, as you do. It does not
matter how elaborate these traditions are, as long as, they are repeated
and become part of you and your own family's. I am sure, you will find information about New Year's traditions and how they are observed around the world, in your library or your computer, an excellent source that will enlighten you.
Copyright © 1996/2010, Ellie Kondy