In my part of the world, in less than 10 hours, we'll be saying farewell to 2010 and welcoming 2011 feeling hopeful and positive that this brand New Year will be much happier, much jollier than 2010 and, most importantly, much more peaceful. As we are all preparing to welcome 2011 regardless of the time difference, let me share with you some of our customs and traditions on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.
The photo above is my humble "Vasilopita" - Saint Basil's Cake. I didn't have time to bake it myself this year, so I got it from a cake shop. For us Greeks, it is unthinkable to welcome the New Year without our Vasilopita. Saint Basil is our very own Santa Claus who also visits the Greeks on New Year's Eve after Christmas!. So we prepare a cake for him in which we bake a coin. When the cake is cut on New Year's Day, the one who has the piece with the coin in it is the lucky person of the year. The lucky person must put the coin in his / her purse hoping that the New Year will bring them money.
Saint Basil will also visit the Greek children again and put presents under the tree or in their stockings. In Cyprus we've also got what we call "pouloustrina" - a small amount of money given to children on New Year's Day apart from the presents brought by Santa (Saint Basil)..But beyond the material side of the New Year , there's also the sentimental one. On New Year's Eve, the young ladies in the villages of Cyprus, will throw olive leaves into a glowing fire. And they will say: "Please Saint Basil, show me if X or Y loves me. If the olive leaf burns, it means that the boy named loves the girl! The sad thing is that this romantic tradition is threatened with extinction.
I wish you all a very Happy and Prosperous New Year. And may all your dreams and wishes come true.
Happy New Year!
Posted by: Kofla Olivieri | December 31, 2010 at 04:22 PM
Thank you for sharing your New Year traditions, Anastasia. It was very interesting to read! As 2010 is going, let me wish you and your family love, happiness and good will in the new year ahead.
Posted by: Laura | December 31, 2010 at 06:33 PM
Glyko mou pedi, in these last hours of 2010, I wish you the very best for the New Year - good health,love,happiness and success in everything you do. Don't forget to cut a small piece of your Vasilopita for me :-)
Posted by: Andreas | December 31, 2010 at 07:25 PM
It's 2011 in Sydney already! The party rocked!!!! Happy New Year!!!!
Posted by: Andy | December 31, 2010 at 07:39 PM
Hi Anastasia. From frozen Amsterdam, I am sending your way lots of warm wishes for the New Year. Have fun, enjoy yourself and I wish the new year has only the greatest things for you. I love you! Filakia !!!!
Posted by: Alexia M | December 31, 2010 at 08:11 PM
Happy New Year...from work!
Posted by: Sophia | December 31, 2010 at 08:42 PM
I'm glad to be the first to comment in 2011. I wish you loads of love, joy and happiness and much more of your wonderful blogging. Xronia Polla.
Posted by: Constantinos | January 01, 2011 at 10:47 AM
That pie looks great! And thank you for link and recipe. I want to wish for you and your family a very wonderfull new year full of love and only good things. Felice Anno Nuovo!
Posted by: Lisa A | January 02, 2011 at 12:35 PM
I tried unsuccessfully to leave a comment two days ago. So, I wish you today all the very best by heart!
Posted by: Phivos Nicolaides | January 03, 2011 at 09:23 PM
Warmest wishes for the New Year - let's hope that 2011 will be a better year for all of us. Kali Xronia!!!
Posted by: Stefania | January 04, 2011 at 12:26 PM