By the time I turned age 13, it was just my father and I, living together in an apartment in a housing project in the Bronx, in New York City. Several times, in my teen years, I was invited to spend part of the Christmas/New Year's school break with relatives in Brooklyn (and I am still close to my two cousins, who are slightly younger than I am.) But eventually, I found myself alone. Well, for an older teen, being alone with her father can be considered being alone.
Kept company only with my father and Guy Lombardo (although not in 1946 per the above video), I came up with my own New Year's Eve custom. It originated just after I turned 16.
The year before, my father had called his brother, my uncle, right after midnight January 1 our time. But in the time zone my uncle lived in, it was still December 31. I loved the idea of talking to someone living in another year.
So, why not do it with food? Symbolically eat something from the old year just after midnight?
About all I had available and easily made was a jar of peanut butter, some bread from the store and some jelly.
So on December 31, that year I had recently turned 16, and right before midnight (and the New York City ball coming down), I made myself a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. And after the New Year rang in, I ate it.
I did that for the next several years, believe it or not, until I had a steady boyfriend.
I feel a little foolish admitting this custom, but why? It isn't that ridiculous, after all. About an hour or so from where I live, someone is going to have a family friendly New Years Eve bash, including peanut butter and jelly sliders.
I was just years ahead of my time.
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My younger sister and I made a pact when we were kids that anytime we were up until midnight we'd sing Auld Lang Syne. We did that for may years, yet I cannot remember the last time I stayed up that late, including New Years.
ReplyDeleteMary and I have pizza rolls for dinner on New Year's Eve. Don't remember how or when it started, but it's our tradition.
ReplyDeleteSo, I am about the opposite. I swore off PB&J slightly before my 16th birthday. (Maybe even 6 years before- about the same age that my kids did.)
ReplyDeleteI like the tradition. I can hear the logic and whimsy in a 16 year old thinking! Who would have thought PB&J sliders would be a thing?
ReplyDeleteI love this tradition will do this this year Alana.Eating the same food for one year will be fun!
ReplyDeleteI love PB and J and guilty to enjoy it whenever I can :)
ReplyDeleteWe generally don’t do much on new year, actually nothing! Just how it has been. Was lucky to be in Vegas to ring 2K :)
That's such a cute tale from your childhood, Alana! I love peanut butter and the thought of it made me drool! Liked your idea of eating something from the past year in the new year, to celebrate! :)
ReplyDeleteAh, interesting. Although, if you eat anything on Jan. 1st that was in the fridge the night before...
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