Blwyddyn Newydd Dda

[Mikey]

I wonder if this is simply a custom in Wales or other parts of the country do this too, as a nipper, young'un we used to go knocking on the neighbours doors on January the 1st to wish them a happy new year. You would sing them this little song and they would cross your palm with a coin or two.

Blwyddyn Newydd Dda i Chwi,
Ac i bawb sydd yn y ty,
Dyma yw'n ddymuniad i;
Blwyddyn newydd dda I Chwi!


Blwyddyn newydd dda i Chwi,
Gwelen llawen,
Dyma'r blwyddyn wedi dod,
Y flwyddyn 'orau fi erioed;
O dyma'r hyfryd flwyddyn;
O dyma'r hyfryd flwyddyn;
O dyma'r hyfryd flwyddyn,
A blwyddyn newydd dda!

The translation is happy new year to you and all in the household, we hope that this year brings you much joy and is the best you've ever had. Not exactly, but you get the gist. The last line was always shouted as loud as I could!!!

Happy new year peeps.

Let me know if there are other unusual customs around the country.

[mrswadders]

no idea where this comes from but.............. on jan 1st the back door is always opened first - to let the old year out and then I open the front to let the new year in - NEVER the other way round - that's bad luck!

[lottie dolly]

years ago it was recognized to go,first footing,a dark hair person visited with a bit of coal for good new years luck,a elderly neighbour ,now departed,used to visit all the peeps he was closest to,us included,with a bit coal,string and a silver sixpence/5p coin,wrapped up in some tissue,the coin and string you kept in your purse,and the coal hidden somewhere in the home,he tolled us he was from a genuine gypsy stock,

[Thelma Sanders]

I can remember the coal from when I was little - neighbours used to knock with a small piece and be invited in for a drink.

[muddled]

My only tradition is that I must go to bed in all clean sheets on new years eve.

[Potstubsdustbins]

Crikey, when I was young if we had gone round knocking on folks doors and singing we would have got a ..................clip round the lughole

[veggiechicken]

Perhaps Mikey has a better singing voice than you Potty

[Jeanied]

The Scots' new year greeting was 'lang may yer lum reek' - meaning long may your chimney smoke.

[FROSTYFRECKLE]

I always thought the coal and opening of doors were Scottish traditions but now I know.

[Noosner]

The Scots' new year greeting was 'lang may yer lum reek' - meaning long may your chimney smoke.

Thanks for explaining that, Jeanied. I had an email from a Scottish friend with it. I guessed it was a positive message but hadn't a clue what it meant!

[Greenleaves]

Mil pleads every new year that no washing is done......ain't got a clue why

[lottie dolly]

we were always tolled about the washing thing,nono's,if you wash the clothes on new years eve,you wash a life away,and on new years day you wash a new body in,uggg,old wifes tales ay,there is already a thread on here somewhere,

[marchogaeth]

I wonder if this is simply a custom in Wales


Let me know if there are other unusual customs around the country.

You went out for your calennig, Mikey! (My kids loved that tradition but we had to go over to Carmarthenshire to really get stuck in.)

Personally I like to go out with my horse - Mari Llwyd Heb Enw Morris: The Mari Lwyd

and I am in all the colour photos! (Work it out).

[Mikey]

Indeed I did.

Doesn't potty know, we all sing lovely in the valleys like.

I've never seen that take place marchogaeth but, I had heard of it. I think its great to keep old customs going.

Mistletoe for example was originally used to ward of evil spirits at winter by the druids, it wasn't until the Anglo Saxons arrived that they brought with them the habit of kissing under the mistletoe. It was customary to pick a berry for a kiss and when all the berries were gone there was no more kissing. I like the translation though Mistel meaning dung and tan meaning stick, so the literal translation was poo on a stick, hardly romantic!!!

[Potstubsdustbins]

Nothing quite like a Welsh male voice choir. But I am a tone deaf Englishman with an awful singing voice.

I am told though I have a speaking voice much like another famous countryman of yours a certain Richard Burton