In part two of my new Year celebration series, I will share some ideas that might feel bold and risky. This year has been challenging, so it is only fitting that we send it out with some equally fierce traditions borrowed from other parts of the world.
I'm sure some of these might be controversial for some families, and that is okay! If it feels uncomfortable, I invite you to take a second to explore why that might be. There are plenty of reasons that these activities might work for one family and not another. If these ideas are not for you, no worries. There will be plenty more. However, I encourage you to reflect on each activity. If the reason you are avoiding this activity is fear, it might be just what you and your family needs. Permission to do something typically off-limits and not allowed. For a moment, to let go of the norms and expectations that we carry with us in our daily lives. If I'm being honest, this idea scares me a little too!
Disclaimer: these activities obviously involve grownups and lots of adult supervision. They may not be suitable for very young children or if your child has challenges with impulse control. These activities may be particularly ideal for families or children who struggle with perfectionism and a need to be perfect!
Let's melt some stuff! (while supervised)
In Germany, people have historically melted small pieces of lead in a spoon over a candle, then pour the liquid into cold water. The bizarre shapes from the Bleigießen (lead pouring) are supposed to reveal what the year ahead will bring by interpreting the metal's shape after it hardens. If the lead forms a ball, luck will roll one's way, while the shape of a crown means wealth; a cross signifies death, and a star will bring happiness. A heart or ring means a wedding, while a ship predicts travel, and a pig declares there will be plenty of food. There is a similar tradition in Finland using tin, and recently I have heard that it is also possible to do with small chunks of wax.
This has been an annual tradition in our family for many years, and my husband's family did it when he was a child. While it sounds risky, it is very manageable with adult supervision. We always use lead musket balls that can be bought at an outdoor store. Lead fishing weights might also be an option, but I have not personally tested results with that option. However, it seemed like a relatively safe (with supervision) option and is a material more likely to be on hand or easily acquired.
Burn it! (with supervision)
In Ecuador, people build scarecrow-like dolls of politicians, pop stars, or other notable figures to fire them. Burning the año viejo (old year) is meant to destroy all the bad things from the last year and cleanse for the new. The scarecrows are made from old clothes stuffed with newspaper or sawdust, and a mask is fitted at the end.
I will be honest; I'm probably not going to do this one. The idea of creating something that represents a person and burning it is too much for me. Still, it reminds me of when I lived in New Mexico and celebrated Zozobra (Old Man Gloom) at the end of the tourism season. Locals stuffed him full of their worries and troubles before they lit him on fire. If I were to modify this tradition for my family, we might create doll-like structures that we burned, but not in a real person's image. You could just have everyone write or draw their worries and troubles on paper. Then they could burn the paper in a fireplace, outdoor fire pit, or another fireproof container.
Let's break some stuff! (while supervised)
People in Denmark ring in the New Year by throwing old plates and glasses against family and friends' doors to banish evil spirits. I read that it is a sign of good luck and camaraderie in parts of the world.
It is customary to throw old pots, pans, clothes, appliances, even furniture out the window in Italy. They see it as symbolizing "letting go" of past unhappiness to prepare yourself for the future.
I am all for letting go of the struggles that came with 2020 and banishing the 'bad spirits' that came with the year. Still, I don't recommend celebrating these traditions precisely as they are celebrated in their home countries. I'm confident that my friends and neighbors would not like being awakened to the sounds of breaking dishes or seeing the pile of broken glass on their doorstep.
For my own family, I have picked up a stack of plates from the thrift store. I plan to clear a spot outdoors that should be relatively easy to clean up when finished. I'm going to add some depth to the activities by including some sharpie markers to write out some of our most significant stress and worries from 2020 on the dishes before we smash them.
I hope these three bold ideas for celebrating the New Year have been inspiring or at least thought-provoking. Next up, I will be sharing some ideas for families looking to focus on reflection and goal setting for the New Year. Check out the other blog posts in this series if you do not feel like being a risk-taker is the right New Years' approach for your family.
If you are noticing that perfectionism is holding yourself, your child, or your family back, be sure to check out our family therapy page.