New Year's Around The Globe

Wondering what folks do in other parts of the world to ring in the New Year? In no particular order, here is a quick glimpse from around the globe that we’ve compiled from various resources on the web.

If you don’t already have your own tradition, maybe these will inspire you!

In Korea: Ancestral memorial rites are held, then children wish their elders a happy new year by performing one deep traditional bow. Show your respect for the senior members of your family by asking them to tell you the stories of their lives.

In Spain: As the clock strikes midnight, revelers eat 12 grapes (one with each toll) to bring good luck for each month of the new year. Don’t forget to make a wish on each grape!

In Japan: When the New Year begins, Japanese people like to laugh, as this is believed to make old worries disappear and ensure the coming year is a happy one.

In Burma: During the traditional Thingyan festival marking the Burmese New Year, people splash water on one another in order to start the New Year with a purified soul.

In Brazil: Don your choice of intimate apparel (aka underwear) to impact your fortune for the ocming year. - red if you're looking for love, yellow if you're hoping for money – and no, you can’t wear both! Also, a sacrificial boat laden with flowers, candles and jewelry is pushed out to sea from Brazil's famous Ipenama beach in Rio de Janeiro.

In the Netherlands: Pyrotechnics - Dutch partygoers set their discarded Christmas trees ablaze! Also, it is a good sign to find your door heaped with a pile of broken dishes at New Years. Old dishes are saved year around to throw them at the homes where their friends live on New Years Eve. Many broken dishes were a symbol that you have many friends.

In Panama: More fire - residents light on fire elaborate effigies of pop stars and political figures.

Everywhere: Buddhist temples toll their bells 108 times at midnight. This tradition is called joya no kane, which means ‘bell rings on New Year’s Eve night’. The rings represent (and repent for) the 108 elements of bonō, defilements, that people have in their minds.

In Scotland: Celebrate the New Year with several customs, such as First Footing. This involves friends or family members visiting each other with a gift of whisky, and sometimes a lump of coal.

In Greece: A special New Year's bread is baked with a coin buried in the dough. The first slice is for the Christ child; the second for the father of the household and the third slice is for the house. If the third slice holds the coin, spring will come early that year.

In the Phillipines: There are several traditions such as wearing clothes with circular patterns like polka dots, in the belief that circles attract money and fortune and throwing coins at the stroke of midnight to increase wealth in the coming year. Traditions also include the serving of circular-shaped fruits, shaking coins inside a metal casserole dish while walking around the house, and jumping up high to cause an increase in physical height!

In Wales: Calennig sounds nice. It’s the tradition of giving gifts and money on New Year's Day, though nowadays it is customary to give bread and cheese. Sounds like a win-win!

In Germany: 'Bleigießen' is a New Year's Eve custom, which involves telling fortunes from the shapes made by molten lead dropped into cold water.

In China: For the Chinese New Year, every front door is adorned with a fresh coat of red paint, red being a symbol of good luck and happiness. Although the whole family prepares a feast for the New Year, all knives are put away for 24 hours to keep anyone from cutting themselves, which is thought to “cut” the family's good luck for the coming year.

In England: The British place their fortunes for the coming year in the hands of their first guest. They believe the first visitor of each year should be male and bearing gifts. Traditional gifts are coal for the fire, a loaf for the table and a drink for the master. And by the way, guests who are empty-handed or unwanted are not allowed to enter first!
In Sicily: Tradition says good luck will come to those who eat lasagna on New Year's Day, but woe if you dine on macaroni, for any other noodle will bring bad luck.

In Mexico: One of the many traditions is to make a list of all the bad or unhappy events from the current year; before midnight, this list is thrown into a fire, symbolizing the removal of negative energy from the New Year.

Cheer Infused Holiday Libations

We did the research for you, and there are plenty of wintery holiday drinks out there. Forget about grandma's eggnog, and check these out:

HOT TODDY

(Feeling a little under the weather? This is just what the doctor ordered!)

2 tablespoons honey
3 shots of bourbon (we like Woodford's Reserve)
lemon juice and zest to taste
1 cinnamon stick

Preparation

Stir honey and 1 cup hot water in a large cup until honey dissolves. Add the bourbon. Divide between 2 Toddy glasses. Zest a lemon over each drink, and add juice to taste. Stir each with a cinnamon stick and serve. Finely grated fresh ginger is also a lovely addition!

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CRANBERRY COBBLER
(or, "who really needs cranberry sauce?")

3/4 cup sugar
1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
1 lemon, cut into wedges
1/2 orange, sliced into thin rounds
1 1/2 cups dry gin (we're thinking Bombay Sapphire)
3/4 cup dry sherry
6 mint sprigs

Preparation

Bring sugar and 3/4 cup water to a boil in a medium saucepan, stir constantly. Remove from heat. Pour off all but one cup of the syrup. Heat syrup in pan almost to a boil; reduce heat to medium. Add cranberries and simmer until they just begin to pop, just a couple of minutes. Let the syrup cool.

Place 2 tablespoons drained cranberries and 6 tablespoons cranberry syrup in a large pitcher. Add lemon wedges and orange slices. Using a muddler or wooden spoon, vigorously mash fruit. Stir in gin and Sherry. Let steep for 5 minutes.

Strain into a medium pitcher. Fill 3 glasses with crushed ice. Pour half of mixture into a cocktail shaker. Fill with ice; shake vigorously for 10 seconds. Strain into prepared glasses, then mound with more crushed ice. Garnish each with a mint sprig and 3 cranberries. Repeat to make 3 more cocktails.

Mmmmmmm!

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PEPPERMINT SUPER DECADENT HOT CHOCOLATE

1 cup chilled heavy whipping cream, divided
1 teaspoon plus 2 tablespoons sugar
2 cups whole milk
4 ounces bittersweet (preferably 60% cocoa) chocolate, coarsely chopped
1 1/2 ounces of Peppermint Schnapps per mug
4 small candy canes (for garnish)

Preparation

Beat 1/2 cup cream and 1 teaspoon sugar in bowl until soft peaks form. Cover; chill. Whisk 1/2 cup cream, 2 tablespoons sugar, and milk in medium saucepan over medium-high heat; bring to boil. Remove from heat. Add chocolate; whisk until smooth. Whisk in peppermint schnapps. Divide chocolate among mugs. Top with cream and garnish with candy canes.

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THE BASIC CHAMPAGNE COCKTAIL

Ingredients

3/4 fluid ounce pear brandy
5 fluid ounces Champagne or other sparkling white wine
1 tablespoon whole-berry blackberry preserves

Directions

Pour the brandy into a champagne flute. Top with champagne. Gently drop in preserves.

Toast!

Carolina Beach Bound for New Year's Eve?

Heading to Carolina Beach, NC for New Year's Eve 2011? Our suggestion is to skip the usual hotel routine, and to ring in the New Year at the Beacon House Inn Bed & Breakfast instead! With an assortment of restaurants nearby, you'll be in no shortage of dining and libation options.

Later, around 9 p.m., you can meander on over to the Carolina Beach Boardwalk for the town's festivities! Don't miss the giant lighted beach ball being dropped at midnight followed by a spectacular fireworks demonstration. This is a free family-friendly event that will feature a DJ and dancing! And, in an Island of Lights tradition, there will be a raffle, with the winner taking home original artwork.

The Beacon House Inn is currently offering the best rates of 2011!

Considering a couple's getaway? We have accommodations in the Inn that will suit you, and include a full breakfast each morning of your stay. We also offer packages for romance or relaxation.

Looking for a little something extra in the spirit of New Year's Eve? Consider adding our 2011 New Year's Eve Package. It includes: a bottle of sparkling wine upon arrival, party favors to take to the Carolina Beach Boardwalk New Year's Celebration. Then, whenever you're tired, head back to your room to enjoy a midnight snack basket! Wake in the morning for breakfast, and then enjoy a nap or a leisurely morning, as this package also includes late check-out!

Celebrating this holiday with pets or kids? We've got that covered too - check out our cottage rentals!

Call us for details! 910.458.6244