newyear.traditions.im
Why the year begins on 1 January, how Hogmanay and first-footing work, what the Manx Qualtagh is, and how Auld Lang Syne became a New Year song: fact-checked against Encyclopaedia Britannica, Scotland's People, the Calendar (New Style) Act 1750 and Culture Vannin.
A New Year festival, in Britannica's wording, is any of the social, cultural, and religious observances worldwide that celebrate the beginning of the new year. Britannica Such festivals are among the oldest and the most universally observed. Britannica
On the Roman republican calendar the year began on March 1, but after 153 BCE the official date was January 1, which was continued in the Julian calendar of 46 BCE. Britannica The Gregorian calendar, adopted in 1582 by the Roman Catholic Church, restored January 1 as New Year's Day. Britannica
Hogmanay is the New Year's festival in Scotland and parts of northern England. Britannica The singing of "Auld Lang Syne" on New Year's, now a worldwide custom, originated during Hogmanay. Britannica
Two good sources disagree about the year Scotland made 1 January official, and about how far Robert Burns wrote or revised Auld Lang Syne. Those notes are on the pages, not hidden in a footnote.
Old festivals, resolutions, foods and first-footing, in Britannica's wording.
Janus, the Julian and Gregorian calendars, and the 1752 change in Britain.
Scotland and northern England, gifts of cake, guisers, the clavie and first footing.
The first guest over the threshold, and the Manx custom recorded by Cregeen.
What the words mean, when Burns wrote them down, and how the familiar tune arrived.
Rosh Hashana, Muharram, Nowruz, Chinese New Year, Vishu, Songkran and Shogatsu.
Fact-checked PDFs in A4 and US Letter, sold as instant downloads from the ReallyByte store: our own drawings, a guide, and worksheets with answers. Prices in US dollars.
A fact-checked guide to why the year begins on 1 January, Hogmanay, first-footing, the Qualtagh and Auld Lang Syne, with our own drawings and a careful look at where good sources disagree.
A quiz, myth-or-fact cards and worksheets with answers, following the sourced wording used on newyear.traditions.im.
A short sourced companion to Hogmanay, first-footing and the Manx Qualtagh, including notes where dates and wordings differ.
All three packs, A4 and US Letter, at a bundle price.