Post by yenilira on Dec 31, 2011 12:23:38 GMT 1
It was tradition in many (if not all) households that your abode had to be spick 'n' span to usher in the New Year, and that entailed giving the house a thorough cleansing, starting with a hearty breakfast, then everyone pitched in with either a duster and polish, mop and bucket, a cloth and disinfectant, a shammy and another bucket, a fight would ensue as to who would use the hover, a pail and old newspaper for the ashes from the coal fire, which was then stoked up in readiness for that evening, and a mad rush to wherever, and whoever, to ensure that debts and loans were paid off, and to complete it all, juniper was also burnt in order to cast out any evil spirits.
Once the home was fresh and sparkling, the 'guid wifie' would start on 'The Table'.
Plates of sausage rolls, black puddin', sandwiches of various kinds, with black bun, clootie, and especially haggis, neeps, and tatties and broth,which would be keeping warm or brought to the boil on the stove – all awaiting the 'First Foot' and friends, family and neighbours, who would no doubt pop in – especially if they heard there was food going.
Then there was a lull – a few hours peace and quiet (?),
for reflection, to decide what 'New Year Resolutions' would be made, a bite to eat maybe, and to get changed into suitable attire to welcome guests.
A last minute check of the vittals and refreshments -
“Have you got enough whisky, Pa?”
“Aw, thur shood be plenty butties an' that fur abody”
“C'mon, get that bluddy fire lit – it's cauld oot ther, lass”
and to top it all, the Bairn would start bawlin' - “Gawd! Get 'is nappy sorted, you.”
With five minutes to go, everybody would be gathered round the ingle,
awaiting 'The Bells.'
“Bells?” - It's just a massive grandfather clock in the hallway, or a hugh timepiece on the mantle.... nowt like 'Big Ben' I can assure you, but there's always Andy Stewart or Kenneth MacKeller on the telly to keep us right, timewise.
10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1
Happy New Year!
All the best, Ma, love you lots.
A guid ane, Pa (but don't sup too much whisky, eh)
Bless this hoose, lang may yer lum reek!
Here's tae Auld Lyne Syne!
Pa would then go and open the front door to let the new year in.
“Who'll be oor 'First Fit?”
“Hope it's no' Big Georgie, he's fair....”
“Better no' be Wee Aggie, she has a squint terrible...!
“Ah fancy a kiss frae Wee Jimmy – he's lovely...”
A knock on the front door, followed by cheerful cries and squeals of delight –
it's Big Tam frae up the wynd, dark and handsome, and he's brought some coal.
Another knock and it's Ken and his missus, with a tanner clutched in his frozen mitt.
“Come in, come in, make yoursel' welcome, get that coat aff an' get a warm and grab a bite.”
“Aye, it's guid tae see youse a', whar's yer lad?"
“Aw, he's gone tae Stoney fur the 'Fireballs' wi' his mates and lass, but they'll be back soon."
Friends and family
good food
lively congenial atmosphere -
what more can one ask for?
But alas, many of the old customs and traditions in the home have died out, or is it because people don't have the same values and feelings for Hogmanay any more like they use to do?
Once the home was fresh and sparkling, the 'guid wifie' would start on 'The Table'.
Plates of sausage rolls, black puddin', sandwiches of various kinds, with black bun, clootie, and especially haggis, neeps, and tatties and broth,which would be keeping warm or brought to the boil on the stove – all awaiting the 'First Foot' and friends, family and neighbours, who would no doubt pop in – especially if they heard there was food going.
Then there was a lull – a few hours peace and quiet (?),
for reflection, to decide what 'New Year Resolutions' would be made, a bite to eat maybe, and to get changed into suitable attire to welcome guests.
A last minute check of the vittals and refreshments -
“Have you got enough whisky, Pa?”
“Aw, thur shood be plenty butties an' that fur abody”
“C'mon, get that bluddy fire lit – it's cauld oot ther, lass”
and to top it all, the Bairn would start bawlin' - “Gawd! Get 'is nappy sorted, you.”
With five minutes to go, everybody would be gathered round the ingle,
awaiting 'The Bells.'
“Bells?” - It's just a massive grandfather clock in the hallway, or a hugh timepiece on the mantle.... nowt like 'Big Ben' I can assure you, but there's always Andy Stewart or Kenneth MacKeller on the telly to keep us right, timewise.
10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1
Happy New Year!
All the best, Ma, love you lots.
A guid ane, Pa (but don't sup too much whisky, eh)
Bless this hoose, lang may yer lum reek!
Here's tae Auld Lyne Syne!
Pa would then go and open the front door to let the new year in.
“Who'll be oor 'First Fit?”
“Hope it's no' Big Georgie, he's fair....”
“Better no' be Wee Aggie, she has a squint terrible...!
“Ah fancy a kiss frae Wee Jimmy – he's lovely...”
A knock on the front door, followed by cheerful cries and squeals of delight –
it's Big Tam frae up the wynd, dark and handsome, and he's brought some coal.
Another knock and it's Ken and his missus, with a tanner clutched in his frozen mitt.
“Come in, come in, make yoursel' welcome, get that coat aff an' get a warm and grab a bite.”
“Aye, it's guid tae see youse a', whar's yer lad?"
“Aw, he's gone tae Stoney fur the 'Fireballs' wi' his mates and lass, but they'll be back soon."
Friends and family
good food
lively congenial atmosphere -
what more can one ask for?
But alas, many of the old customs and traditions in the home have died out, or is it because people don't have the same values and feelings for Hogmanay any more like they use to do?