Hogmanay. Auld years night. Daft Days. New Year ’s Eve.

However you put it, if you live by the Gregorian calendar, then there is one hell of
a party up ahead. Traditions, customs, alcohol and good food abound,
millions of people around the globe will be celebrating.

  But what happens, if Hogmanay has become blurred with every other
weekend of the year. When alcohol and parties and good food have become so affordable and accessible that every weekend is a celebration to the amount of debt that various cheaply priced but unmentionable supermarkets can absorb in the quest for your business, and is not about the death of the old year and birth new year, but of the dying of the working week and the commencement of the weekend?

Every Sunday, when the celebrations have subsided, someone, somewhere, holding their hangover in with one hand rashly promises to never drink again, or the girl who sounds like she been using a cheese grater to clean her tonsils announces she is going to stop smoking and how many of us resolutely promise to start that diet as the button on our jeans refuses to fasten. Then the following Friday – a mere five days later, they are forgotten as the temptation to excess is presented.

But good god, don’t I sound like a complete and utter party-pooper. (And I’m not even in my 30’s yet – 7 months and counting!) I still enjoy New year, but just wish it was slightly different! Anything to differentiate it from my wine sodden weekends. Anything to mark it as the special occasion I remember it being when I was a child. It was a privilege and a treat to be allowed to try and stay up until Midnight –  I say try because I rarely made it to midnight – I would wake up in the morning, snuggled in my own bed, realising my dad had carried me through and tucked me in and being highly disappointed that I had once again missed that magical moment. ‘The Bells’ sounded mysterious and made me imagine fairies sweeping through the air ringing bells made of gold, sprinkling fairy dust and spreading joy and happiness. (I was a fanciful child) and the Boats (a tradition in Aberdeen where all the boats in the harbour sounds their horns at Midnight) was something that I hoped with all my might that I would one day get to hear. How exciting, I used to think that sailors from far off lands would want to celebrate the turning of the year with us. It was a magical night, once in a lifetime, where neither of my parents had to work the next day. Where the house was filled with laughter and music (More so than usual – we had a very happy household) and people flitted in and out. There were no reports on the television (in fact we weren’t allowed to watch television) of fights and murders and houses being targeted by burglars who knew the occupants were away for the evening. In fact, the whole time was regarded as one where all grudges should be forgotten, every one was equal and the world could be put to rights over a snifter of whisky and some black bun. There was something distinctly sordid and shameful about being caught doing something wrong at such a wonderful time – a feeling I still hold close.

But just to show I am not a party-pooper who will have gone to her bed come the stroke of midnight because someone has stolen her rose-tinted spectacles, I have thought up some interesting alternatives for the New Year.

1. Go to Stonehaven, a small fishing town on the east coast of Scotland, just 20 minutes from Aberdeen where you can watch the Stonehaven Fireballs. A fantastic display, a grand night, and for more information go here www.stonehavenfireballs.co.uk/
NB – I didn’t actually think this one up – I am sharing!

2. Have a fortune telling party. Sounds bizarre, but the coming of the year and the luck and fortune it will bring is tied up in Scottish Tradition. Try activities such as peeling an apple and throwing the skin over your shoulder – the letter it forms is the first initial of your sweetheart. The same goes for breaking egg whites into a bucket. Tea leaf reading is another popular one. Be as fanciful as you like – dress up, encourage others to do the same and just generally have a grand ol’ time of it. Although do warn some of your more susceptible guests that it is all a bit of fun. And do make a sign informing everyone you are the granddaughter of gypsy rose lee – it someone gives it that authentic touch (cough cough)

3. Have a pyjama party – pretty self explanatory – feather filled pillowcases and pigtails optional.

4. First foot as many people as possible. Scottish Tradition dictates that the first person to step over the threshold of your house in the new year should be male, virile, dark haired, tall, good natured and should be bearing a gift – preferably coal or bread, to ensure there is a wealth of food and warmth for the coming year. (that’s me out, being a girl, bad tempered ) Why not go round all the people you know (In this day and age it is sad that we can no longer call on and introduce ourselves to our unknown neighbours for fear of harm!) and bring them all the luck in the world. And a few nippy sweeties (whisky or other spirits for the uninitiated) may be offered in payment for your services!

5. Attend your local street party. A fantastic way to meet and greet and bring the new Year In. In Aberdeen we have a major street party organised by our Local Council – and its completely free!! This year, Amy McDonald is headlining and Sandy Thom will be there are well – fantastic.

I know that the most fanciful of you out there will have a million and one other ideas. (And probably better than mine, but its having a memorable time that counts) One of my most favourite memories is having a medieval New Year, where we dressed up as people from the days of yore (Think Robin Hood, I was Maid Marian with a Britney Spears wig!!) and roasted a Wild Bore on a spit. Or at least pretended to – we pre-cooked it so that we could not be accused of genocide when everyone got food poisoning from eating raw meet!!!

New year is a time of dreams, perhaps that is what ultimately makes it different from other weekends. It is a time we can dare to imagine that we can become the person we always wanted to be. It can happen – my one and only resolution last year was to stop smoking and I did it. Almost a year on, I am richer, healthier and I know I can do anything if I put my mind to it…………

Except find those damn rose tinted spectacles.

Have a good one.

:wave: