The "New Year's Day Customs & Traditions" Story

It was an ordinary day.  And...I forgot to post my story I had written a few weeks ago just for this day.  So...I'm posting a second story on New Year's Day.  Story about family traditions and New Year customs that have been part of the fabric of our society for generations and generations.  Some you will recognize I'm sure, while others may be a regional custom or tradition from a different part of the United States or even a different country.  See how many you may recognize and actually practice while try and understand those that may seem strange to you that may be part of another person's heritage.  My wish of a Happy New Year I send to you today, even if it may be a bit late.  Now, I must help my wife dish out the pork and sauerkraut for the New Year's Day family meal.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

• Kissing at Midnight:  Kiss those that are dearest to you at the stroke of midnight.  This will ensure those affections and ties that you have will last throughout the year.  Forgetting to do so will set the stage for a year of coldness.  And, since my story is so late, do it right now and it will still count!!
• Paying Off Bills:  Make sure you pay off all the bills that you may have in the cabinet or drawer so you can be debt-free in the New Year.  Once again, I'm sorry for my lateness in telling you this, but just date any check you may have to write with the December 31, 2017 date and it will count.  Promise you it will!
• Work:  Make sure you do something related to your work on the first day of every year.  Even though it may be something minor, it will still bring you success in your work.  I will work on my yearbook's that I produce so they will be a success when they are delivered.  
• Household jobs:  Do not do laundry on New Year's Day lest a member of the family may we "washed away" (die).  
• Clothes:  Wear new clothes on New Year's Day.  It will increase the likelihood that you will gain more new clothes during the year.
• Money:  Do not loan money to anyone on New Year's Day.  If you do so you will be paying out all year.
• Breakage:  Avoid at all costs breaking something today or you may break many more items during the year.  And if you do break something, don't cry for you will shed tears the rest of the year.
• Weather:  If the wind on New Year's Day blows from the South there will be fine weather and prosperity in the year ahead.  If it blows from the North it will be a year of bad weather.  Blowing from the east brings famine and calamities while blowing from the west brings plentiful supplies of milk and fish, but also the death of a very important person.  A windless day will bring joy and prosperity.  
• Birthdate:  Those born on January 1 will always have luck on their side.
• First Footing:  The first person to enter your home after the stroke of midnight on New Year's Day will influence the year you're about to have.  Better they come bearing gifts than a lump of coal.  Blonde and redhead first footers will bring bad luck and female first footers will bring disaster to the household.  Whomever enters first should be ushered in and not enter on their own.  When they leave they should leave by another door from where they entered.  If all these things take place, your home will surely be successful during the year.  
• Nothing Goes Out:  On New Year's Day nothing, absolutely nothing, not even garbage, should leave the house.  Don't even shake out a rug or take empty bottles from the home.  The New Year must see something enter before something is removed.  If you must, bring something in before taking out the trash and collectibles, or wait until the day after New Year's Day.

There you have it.  Customs and Traditions for you to abide by.  Don't chance it and disregard one of them.  You'll be sorry.  And, remember where you heard all these customs and traditions so when you become healthy, wealthy and wise next year you'll more than likely want to stop buy with a gift.  But make sure you do it before next New Year's Day.