New Year's Traditions and Customs

Have you ever thought about the traditions of celebrating the New Year? We are most familiar with the ball drop in Times Square, the Tournament of Roses Parade, fireworks, resolutions, and a toast and a kiss with Auld Lang Syne playing in the background. The celebration of the New Year was first observed in ancient Babylon nearly 4,000 years ago, and many cultures have adopted their own traditions to mark the event. In Spain, twelve grapes are eaten at midnight to mark prosperity for each month of the coming year. In Southern Italy, the custom is to throw old belongings out the window, symbolizing your readiness to accept the New Year. In Scotland, myth surrounds the "first-footer", a tall handsome man with dark hair who is the believed to visit your home after midnight and bring good luck. In the South, tradition cooks up a meal of pork, black-eyed peas and cabbage, which symbolize health, good luck, and financial prosperity respectively.


Start a new tradition by celebrating a timeless New Year’s Eve at Graylyn and toast the beginning of 2010 with a flute of champagne. Invite friends and loved ones to join in the celebration over a five-course, gourmet champagne pairing dinner event, featuring exclusive and rare vintages from our cellar. This champagne dinner event is $274 per couple, or add to the package a uniquely adorned guest room, welcome gift and breakfast for two for $399 per couple. Make a resolution to mark your calendar for Thursday, December 31, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. at Graylyn Estate. Enjoy an evening filled with delectable food, friendly toasts, and wonderful company.


Call 336.758.2425 to reserve your space or visit www.graylyn.com.