An Old Fashioned New Year's Day

If you would like a more informal way to ring in the New Year...

In Victorian times New Year’s Eve celebrations were unheard of. It was the first day of the New Year that brought family and friends together.

During the rest of the year, Victorian customs restricted who could visit who, when they could visit, and how long they could stay. Christmas was reserved for the family. But New Year’s Day was when everyone relaxed and throw their doors open wide for friends and neighbors.

Each family would have an open house where anyone could drop in unannounced and have some food and punch while visiting before moving on their next stop.

In most cases, the women and girls would stay home to received guests on these old fashioned “at homes”, while the men traveled from home to home. With no invitations to send and all food served buffet style, it was an unusually simple way for the women to entertain.

In fact, the President of the United States and his wife celebrated New Year’s Day with an informal open house until just after the Civil War. The number of guests who dropped in was sometimes staggering, as no one was turned away.

To slow down the pace after the hectic holidays, consider hosting an old fashioned New Year’s Day of your own. Simply call friends and family and invite them for the afternoon. Keep it simple and informal – coffee cake, desserts and a few appetizers. Serve punch or champagne for the adults and sparkling cider for the children. Your old fashioned celebration will be a welcome respite for your friends and a relaxing way to bring in the New Year.

Written by: Joanmarie Moccia
Victorian style jewelry, designer. Her collection of artisan Victorian era reproductions can be found at Victoria's Jewelry Box.