The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1926-12-31
CUSTOMS OF
MANY LANDS
RECALLED
People Who Came From Other
Countries Tell of How New
Year Is Welcomed

New Years customs of many
lands are remembered by Bismarck
residents, the observance of which
would provide a full day for every
resident Of the city.
Some rang the new year in.
others burnt the old year out, and
all Joined in a strenuous round Of
feasting and calls. Burning the
old year out" was the custom in a
Canadian village many years ago,
according to one Bismarck woman.
The whole neighborhood would
gather at an appointed. place where
firewood had been collected. The
fire would be lighted promptly at
9 o'clock and it was the duty of all
j present to see that the fire never
burned lower during the entire evc-
ming. The custom was said to
have come from Europe.
In England, according to another's
recollection, rivalry was keen over
being first to get the cream of
the New Year." Each member of
the family armed himself with
pitcher or dipper and made ready
to rush to the well or spring at the
birth of the New Year and secure
the first pitcherful of water. The
belief was that good luck during
the whole year would be the for
tune of the winner.
First F00ters"
A Bismarck man, former resi-
dent of Scotland, recalls with pride
the fact that he was one one of
+, the best first footers" in his dis.
trict. First Foot was the name
given to the person who first placed
his foot over the threshold of
home Some times bands of young
fellows would travel together.
vying with other bands in being
the first to place q foot over the
threshold of the greatest number
of homes.
Many confessed that although
they had no background of an "old
country" to instill tradition and
superstition into them yet there
were many things they would not
do on New Years day. One man
said, II never throw out or destroy
anything, no matter how worthless
on January first" adding that any
one who does will be throwing out
more than he takes. in the rest Of
the year. Another variation Of
this superstition is that of the
man who will not write checks or
nay any bills on New Years day
because he feels that he would be
spending money throughout the
year.
Other Customs
Many housewives plan b0untiful
New Years dinners in the belief
that if they have plenty to eat on
that day they will never want
throughout the entire year.
In another home the members of
the family gather about the Bible
to find their fortunes for the COM
ing year. They shut their eyes,
open the Bible ut random, and then
read the chapter before them. From
the nature of what they read thew
say they can tell whether good
fortune or sorrow is to come to
them.
"When | was q little girl they
told me that II ! ever carried
lamp or candle outdoors on. New
Years day, someone in my home
would die" one woman said, land
even now I can't bring myself to
carry even = flashlight on that day."
The most generally accepted ira
dition in Bismarck is one that goes
back but Is or 20 years, that Of
holding open house on New Years
day. Days were spent in prepar-
ing the cookies and cakes which
were served with wines or punch
in some homes and tea in others.
Everyone dressed in his best and
made the rounds.