New Years Eve – whether its a night you go out on, or stay in on, its definitely a night for fun and celebration. Todays blog shows five vintage inspired buys that will make your evening go with a bang…
1. Just before midnight, many people in the UK turn on the TV to show Big Ben counting down the last minutes of the old year. At 12pm the chimes of Big Ben are broadcast to mark the start of the New Year. Drinks are often served at this point – use beautiful vintage glasses to add sparkle to proceedings.
Vintage glasses via Your Vintage Life.co.uk
The reason you are supposedly supposed to kiss someone at midnight is because otherwise superstition says that for the rest of the year you will face a year of coldness and lack of affection!
2. First-footing is an ancient European New Year’s custom that continues in many areas. The first person to enter a home after midnight on the first day of the year should be a male, preferably with dark hair as blondes may have been associated with Vikings. The first-footer should carry a gift, such as a coin for prosperity, bread for food, salt for flavor, or whiskey to represent good cheer – why not come armed with a gift of fresh bread in a fantastic vintage enamel bin?
Enamel bread bin via Yay Retro.co.uk
3. Some believe that if you eat black-eyed peas on New Years Day it will attract good luck and fortune. The food to stay away from? Chicken or turkey as it is believed that eating poultry will bring bad luck! Serve your food on a selection of vintage cake stands for a quirky look…plus you can get 2 or 3 times the amount of food out!
Vintage Spode cake stand via cakestandland.co.uk
4. On New Year’s Eve when the clock strikes midnight people blow on horns, cheer and set off fireworks. Why? It is believed that the loud noise scares away evil spirits – so, not only are you ringing in the new year but you will be starting the new year free from evil. Make that noise at midnight using the Rolls Royce of all party poppers – personalised silver ones!
Not on the High St Personalised silver party popper holder via David-Louis Design
5. The direction of the wind on New Year’s morning is said to predict the coming year. Wind from the south, expect money and happiness. Wind from the north, a year of foul weather. Wind from the east brings famine and bad luck, while wind from the west brings milk and fish, but the death of someone important. No wind = joy and prosperity throughout the year!
A fabulous retro weather station is perfect for finding out the new years weather and its predictions for the coming year. This American one via Etsy is fabulous!
Etsy weather station via alsredesignvintage
And finally, ‘Auld Lang Syne’ has been called the most familiar vintage song which nobody knows the words…but this year, you will! Written by Robert Burns and first published after his death in 1796, the song became popular in the late 20’s when Guy Lombardo played it on New Year’s Eve.
Should old acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind? Should old acquaintance be forgot, and days of auld lang syne? For auld lang syne, my dear, for auld lang syne. We’ll take a cup of kindness yet, for days of auld lang syne. We two have run around the hills And pulled the daisies fine. But we’ve wandered many a weary foot Since the days of auld lang syne. We two have paddled in the stream From morn till the sun was down. But seas between us two have roared Since days of auld lang syne. So here’s a hand my trusty friend. Give us a hand of thine. We’ll take a good-will drink again For auld lang syne.Have a wonderful New Years Eve whatever you are doing and may 2014 be a wonderful year for all.
Written by Sarah Gorlov.
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BOXING DAY SALE
Our eBay shop sale started on Boxing day with lots of items reduced. Grab yourself a unique vintage bargain but be quick – our sales sell out fast!
