THE SCOTS

The Scots take part in a tradition called ‘first-footing’ where shortly after midnight they visit their neighbors bringing coal for the fire. It is also thought to be good luck if the first person through your door is ‘tall, dark and handsome’ (though I believe all cultures would agree that any tall, dark and handsome visitor was good luck!).

JAPANESE

The turning of a new year is a huge celebration in Japan starting with Bonenkai or ‘forget the year parties’ which are held to bid farewell to woes from the past year and preparing for the new year.  At midnight, the Buddhist temples strike their gongs 108 times to expel 108 types of human weakness. New Year’s Day is a day of no work and all play.

SPANISH

Spainerds traditionally eat twelve grapes during the twelve chimes at midnight to secure twelve happy months in the coming year.

SOUTH AMERICANS

In the continent to our south, people traditionally wear bright colored underpants when ringing in the new year. Red underwear are worn by those hoping for love and yellow underwear are worn by those wishing for prosperity in the new year.

DUTCH

Those in The Netherland burn Christmas trees and set off fireworks as a means of purging the old.

GREEK

New Year’s Eve is a larger celebration than Christmas in Greece being the main gift giving day. It is also St. Basil Day, as the Greek Orthodox Church forefather was thought to have died on that day. The primary traidition is the Vassilopitta or St. Basil Cake, which is baked with a gold or silver coin in it. The member of the family that receives the piece of cake with the coin is said to have good luck for the upcoming year.

AMERICANS

Perhaps the most common tradition in the U.S. is watching the ball drop in Time Square. The ball is made of Waterford Crystals, weighs 1,070 pounds and is six feet in diameter. Since 1907, it has made a one minute descent, arriving at exactly midnight. Other New Year’s Eve traditions include kisssing a special someone at midnight, tooting blow horns and toasting champagne.

This New Year’s Eve, make a new tradition and join us at the 17th Street Grill at Timberlake. Our Executive Chef has put toghether a delicious menu including a prix fixe menu, with your choice of appetizer, soup or salad, entree and dessert, plus a champagne toast for $35/person. There will also be popular ther options varying in price from $12-$34. Full menu is available here. Call today to make your reservation!

Tell us about your New Year’s plans or traditions!

COMPACT

A pair of running shoes, socks, shorts and top take up less space than your toiletries, so no excuses about them not fitting. It is even so little space used, that you cannot be upset if you, waaa waaa, don’t get that jog in.

THE BURN

Thirty minutes of leisurely walking burns a whopping 175 calories, and that is if you weigh 150 pounds. At the 200 pound mark, you are burning 234 calories. Imagine if you walk your way through an entire TV movie or the morning news, conveniently playing right in front of your eyes, with the controller in your hand, that is 600-1,000 calories! If you are feeling especially zealous, consider a hearty jog and weight lifting for double the calorie burn.

ENDORPHINS

Those are just the numbers, you cannot forget the strong sense of accomplishment you will feel as you return to your hotel room to enjoy the unforgetable dual headed showers at the Timberlake Lodge.

Instead of lazying on the hotel bed (we know it is tempting at Timberlake, but still), get your bum in gear and make the stroll to the hotel Fitness Center. Also, skip that elevator and USE THE STAIRS!