NYE traditions.. what is this one? And what are yours?

[cjt110]

As a kid I remember my grandparents collecting a slice of bread, some salt, lighter fuel and maybe money. Grandad would go out of the back door with the items and come round and knock on the front door, bringing the items in... Is anyone familiar with this "routine" and what it symbolises?

Do you have any traditions? And what is their significance?

I do this one, i think its some old pagan routine. My family learned it from friends who were gypsies/travellers. The lady referred to herself as a gypsy though recent generations of the same family call themselves traveller.

Bread so you never go hungry, silver so you'll always have money in your purse, salt so your life always has flavour, and coal so you'll always be warm. We've always done this 😁

First footer. The first person through the door sets your luck for the year. Each thing represents something but I can’t remember what they are.

Always has to be a dark haired person through the door first 🤷🏻‍♀️

Basically the stuff on the plate was to represent things you couldnt be without through the next year, there are supposed to be 5 items to form a 'magic circle'
My elders recite some words that I cant remember then leave the items out of the way and leave alone as long as possible.

Its supposed to be a dark haired stranger knocking at the door to bring luck. But anyone will do haha.

None for NYE, but we do the steak pie on NYD

NoPhelange
I know it as salt of the earth
and a fruit so you never go hungry or spice for the spice of life. I have no idea where this tradition started, I just remember all the woman in my family do it and have done for over 60 years!

Yes, absolutely. Though I think we just did fuel and bread. And you open the front door to let the new year in, and the back door to let the old year out.

First footing. A tall dark handsome man with coal should be the first person in your house.

NoTea interesting, we've never done fruit. I may be remembering it wrongly but that's what I thought it was - no wonder I have no luck my mum used to place everything on the bread, the absolute panic if we forgot anything 5 minutes before the bell! When I was really young my dad was a coalman and would go down the street with a sack giving some out to the neighbours. It's a nice tradition, makes me feel positive about the coming year if I remember to do it even if it is a load of tripe!

Ah yes that rings some bells now!!

I must say we dont have any or do anything. We've been known to say sod it and go to bed at our normal time.