Some years ago an African American colleague and I discussed New Years traditions. She shared with me a tradition of getting a new broom at the beginning of a fresh year. I’d heard of “jumping the broom” as a form of marriage ceremony, but not of replacing brooms to welcome a new year. She was frankly horrified when I admitted how old my kitchen broom was.
Other friends and neighbors have shared traditions such as eating pork (specifically boiled spare ribs with sauerkraut) or pig-shaped cookies.
This year I’ve decided to welcome 2012 with a new broom. What are your New Years traditions?