3 New Year’s Traditions: are they worth the effort?

SHOULD YOU EAT BLACK-EYED PEAS ON NEW YEAR'S EVE?

A Southern Tradition, traditionally called: Hoppin’ John (black-eyed peas served with rice, pork, and seasonings. If you follow the full tradition, you’re to eat 365 peas. That’s a mouthful.

Thought to originate from Civil War days – Sherman on his march through the South left devastated crops, and not much beyond black-eyed peas and salted port, which were considered animal fodder. The reeling South was grateful for any bounty and the practice of eating black-eyed peas (with pork/bacon/renderings) was thought to bring about good luck. Sherman’s marching dates seem to discount this theory, but it’s another Southern story passed along. (Wiki-pedia)

Superstition or not – Black-eyed peas are good for you:

"Even though it's myth that black-eyed peas bring good luck, it's fact they can benefit your health. Just one cup of black-eyed peas delivers 20 percent of the daily magnesium, calcium and iron one needs, plus they are a good source of soluble and insoluble fiber, according to the Mayo Clinic." (Times Free Press)

LOOKING FOR A GREAT KISS AT THE STROKE OF MIDNIGHT?

This tradition is thought to originate from an Ancient Roman (8th century BC) Festival of Saturnalia. The party started mid-December and continued on for days. The midnight kiss is thought to be part of this celebration. This theory holds that the kiss was rather just a ‘thing that happened’; no particular significance. (Bustle.com) Personally, if I'd been partying for two weeks straight, I'm not certain that I'd remember one kiss at the stroke of midnight.

However, The Washington Post offers a couple of different theories:

According to The Washington Post, Europe’s Renaissance Masquerades were events where anything went as long as party-goers were masked. To cleanse from their decadence, those misbehaving revelers laid one on the first person they saw after pulling off the mask. Something about keeping the evil spirits at bay. (The Washington Post)


Or


English & German folklore offered that the 1st person met/encountered in the New Year would set the tone for the upcoming year. Perhaps, these folks decided to tips good odds in their favor by kissing someone they liked or wanted to like them – rather like tempting destiny, I’d think. (The Washington Post)

PERHAPS MY FAVORITE NEW YEAR'S TRADITION: COLORFUL UNDIES.

That’s right. The shade of your panties, knickers, bloomers, thong could influence the upcoming year’s outcome.

According to the Underwear Expert, color matters.

Who knew there was an Underwear Expert????

Planning your last minute outfit? Don’t forget the color of your drawers:

Yellow: Prosperity, Wealth & Success
Red: Passion, Romance & Love (not exactly hard to figure out this one.)
White: Peace, Harmony & Happiness (also won’t show through the color of your garment for the evening.)
Blue: Good Health, Wellness & Tranquility (makes sense. Who doesn’t want to gaze at ocean blue?)
Green: Life, Nature & Well-Being (Mother Earth, I’m thinking.)
Pink: Luck in Love, Harmony (okay, ladies, decide if you want passion for 2019 or luck in love. Remember that those 2 goals are NOT the same thing. At least, not exclusively the same thing.)

However, you spend your New Year's, may the upcoming year be prosperous and filled with joy.