Appalachian New Years Traditions

 As a kid, we never celebrated NYE much. My Mom always found it depressing and would encourage us to "just go to bed early".  As an adult, I've been to parties for NYE but have come to realize that I prefer something subdued, at home. 

Talking with several of my Appalachian family and friends, I am finding out that a subdued NYE is extremely cultural. 

Community focus

Appalachians tend to focus more on family and religion on NYE than the big and impersonal celebratory parties.  Although joining others for a NYE "event" is common for the younger generation. 

Religion

Some Appalachian communities have strong religious backgrounds, which could lead to a more conservative approach to celebrating holidays like New Year's Eve.  This reminds me of "Watch Night" at Church (aka Watch Service).  Our Church started at 7pm and lasted until after Midnight. There would be food, church service/ministry, communion, testimonials, singing, and more. 

Rural

Many parts of Appalachia are still rural and NYE usually has winter weather making travel a challenge.  Nesting at home vs venturing out to a large city celebration is often preferred. 

Food

An Appalachian New Year's Day meal almost always consists of pork (more modern is fish replacing pork), collard greens (with a dime inside the  bowl of greens for prosperity) or cabbage/sauerkraut, and black-eyed peas.

This is a popular Appalachian tradition believed to bring good luck, good health and prosperity in the new year.

It has never worked for me so I tend to have champagne, Spaghetti Aglio e Olio, and start binge watching something new for the new year.

Quirky Celebrations

* The John Campbell School shoots a pair of old boxer shorts out of a cannon.

*North Georgia has the Possum Drop 

* West Virginia has the Great Pepperoni Roll Drop

* Asheville has a board game party

Music

Enjoy Auld Lang Syne by Philip Bowen playing the fiddle. It doesn't get more Appalachian than this. 

What are your NYE Traditions?  

Drop a comment and share. I would love to see what others do around Appalachia and beyond. 

Happy New Year!

⎯⎯