Many families have traditions they have carried on through generations. One common tradition is cleaning your house thoroughly on or before New Year’s Eve. Out with the old, in with the new they say. Most people believe in the idea that cleaning your house before the first day of the New Year ensures that you don’t carry in your old, somewhat soiled, life into the New Year. For most of us, this kind of therapeutic type of cleansing usually takes place before or ON New Year’s Eve. Also, people like to clean before New Year’s Day because of the many superstitions that revolve on what you can and cannot do on New Year’s Day. “Folklore” says after all the cleaning is completed, all brooms, brushes, dust pans, and all other cleaning equipment should be put away and not used again until Jan 2nd, in order to avoid washing or sweeping your luck away.

Some believe that nothing, not even trash, leaves the house on January 1st or you will be metaphorically losing things during the upcoming year. Also washing clothes on New Year’s Day is thought to be bad luck as well.  It is said you are washing away any good fortunes that may be coming to you in the new year.

Another tradition is to not have any bare cupboards. It is customary to fill them up before New Year’s Day. If you don’t, it’s a sign that your New Year might continue this way.  So consider taking time to check expiration dates on everything you have in those cupboards and to throw away any old canned foods you might find. You should also throw away any of those magazines you’ve been hoarding as well as anything else you don’t use on a regular basis that has no purpose but to take up space. By clearing out the old, useless or expired things, it’s symbolic to removing the negativity from your life. Try not to break anything on New Year’s Day either,  as the superstition of broken glass or mirrors is amplified on this day. It’s probably a good idea to just consider paper plates and products for this day in order to avoid any mishaps!