Holland, as the western part of the Netherlands is eminently called, celebrates New Year on the first date of the first month of the Georgian calendar, i.e. January 1st.
Without a doubt, it can be called as the best time for anyone to visit Holland, as the whole of Holland seems to be celebrating this perfect time of the year. However, it is more of a private and family affair, rather than being an extravagant social festivity.
New Year Celebrations in Holland
People in Holland prefer to spend more of their New Year’s time with close friends and family, rather than being a part of social celebrations, as in happening across the city in discotheques, clubs, hotels, or other party places. That happens across majority of the families, at least till the moment of the midnight when New Year arrives. Till that time, everyone irrespective of their age and gender participate in different board games, and mutually enjoy the telecasting of various Dutch comedy shows which has traditional Dutch summaries of the year at the core of it. With the New Year drawing closer, one would hardly find anyone on the streets or any social party places.
As soon as clock rings twelve, people exchange best luck wishes with one another, and then they come out of their houses to celebrate the occasion on streets. It is the post midnight period which witnesses people to have more of social celebrations.
Traditional New Year Celebrations in Holland
There are few traditions which are rigorously followed by the people of Holland during the time of New Year. Though, most of them hold their roots in the Dutch soil, others have been much more locally rooted and followed. Everyone ensure to clean up their houses before New Year arrives, as doing so is considered to be a part of purification process. For this, people collect Juniper and water after sunset. There is a tradition of carrying Juniper branches to home, which are later burned with a belief that doing so sways all prowling germs and diseases out of the place. According to a widely popular Holland belief, a person who wakes up most6 early in the morning n the household on the day of New Year, would take up Hit pint to spiced ale it over those who are still sleeping.
Quite similar to the first footing tradition followed in England, Holland also have a eminent and profound first footing tradition, as a part of which the first person arriving on the threshold of the house defines the luck of those residing in for the rest of the year. In case, a dark haired, young, and good lucking man arrives, it is considered as a symbol of good luck. In case, a woman, a blonde, or a red haired arrives, it symbolizes for bad luck.
Other New Year Celebrations in New Year
There is also a traditional custom of preparing a special Dutch dish with the name of ‘Oliebol’. It is a traditional Dutch doughnut, deep fried in different flavors, and covered with icing sugar during the time of New Year. Apart from this, several other dishes such as cordials, cheese, bread, wine, shortbread, oatcake, scones, currant loaf, oatmeal cakes, savor cones, cheese, and New Year black buns are something, which natives of Holland wish to have in their platter list during the dinner and party time of New Year.
People also gather to lit bonfire on New Year’s Eve, with an old school belief that doing so bids a farewell to the Old Year and welcomes the New Year. On New Year’s Day, one witnesses small groups of young children who wake up early in the morning, and then make a visit to every house in the neighborhood while singing New Year special songs. As a mark of showing love and greetings for New Year, people in turn give them sweets, coins, and apples. This tradition has to be completed before the noon arrives, as anywhere doing it so after the noon time is considered as a fool.