New years day superstitions

None!

I have walked down to the river to pay my respects to Belisama. The Romans worshipped the river as a goddess . Plus it’s good exercise for me.

I used to clean the house thoroughly on the 31st. Not any more.

Like you biglouis we always did ‘first footing’ when I was young, and carried them on even now, although the drink can be whatever the first footer likes. He has to go through the house and let the old year out as well.
I always try to start the New Year with an almost empty laundry basket. It’s not a superstition, but maybe it’s based on one.

I just let the new year in while everyone else shouts

"Shut the door mum, it's freezing!"

"Can we open the other Quality Street now?"

"Do you want another rum and coke or are you ready for a tea?"

which I meant to add was a bit like biglouis story. There must be something behind it and why do people go into the street and bang pans?

I've done a 10kg load today, I had no idea
but
at midnight we took coal out the back door and walked round and came in through the front...

My nan said doing any washing on New Year's Day was really bad luck. I don't believe in those old superstitions but I never do any washing - just to be on the safe side.

No but my mother had new years eve superstitions. She would send out my father at 5 minutes to midnight with a piece of coal and a penny. When he knocked she greeted him with a large whisky. It was to symbolise always having fuel, money and enough to drink in the coming year.

The "first" footer was always traditionally a dark haired male who let the new year into the home. It was believed to be bad luck for someone blonde to be first in. I believe these are Scottish customs.