By Kate Hodges
30th December 2016
Happy New Year from everyone at The Green Parent. May 2017 bring health, wisdom and peace to all!
CELEBRATE Hello 2017
New Year is a great chance to come together as a family and reflect on the year that has passed, as well as hopes and dreams for the year to come. We love the idea of an ‘interview’ or letter to help record achievements as well as wishes. We’re also fans of exploring other countries’ traditions – there’s a great list here. This year, we’re going to try the grape-stuffing challenge from Spain, Russian wish-burning and perhaps deck the whole family out in red pants!
EVENT Great Balls of Fire
The small Scottish town of Stonehaven ushers in the new year in breath-taking style with its Fireballs Ceremony. Brave locals swing heavy wire cages filled with combustible material around their heads. Best suited to older kids, the parade starts at midnight, although there’s street entertainment before then, and is a magical event to witness, with a deep connection to the town’s history. Wear something very warm (and that can stand a few little burn-holes!)
MAKE Bring the Noise
Make a noise this New Year’s eve with some home-made instruments. Go simple with a coffee can drum or shaker, or make a more elaborate rain stick or even your own didgeridoo. All together now!
COOK Chop Chop
A New Year’s Day tradition in our house is to have a big pan of Nigel Slater’s Onion Soup with Madeira and Gruyere Toasts on the go. It can putter away for hours, soaks up the most ferocious of hangovers, and is comforting and warming. Recipe here
EVENT Jog On
While the rest of the UK is preparing to eat, drink and dance their way into the new year, the town of Mountain Ash ends the year in sporty style, with the Nos Galan Road Races, held on New Year’s Eve in memory of Welsh runner Guto Nyth Bran. Runners of all abilities tackle courses around the village, which start in the early evening with a 600m course for 8–11 year olds, a 1.2km jog for 12–15 year-olds, and 5k for the elite athletes and the fancily dressed fun runners. Every year, a mystery runner joins the fun, with some big names including Colin Jackson and Linford Christie having a shot at the course.
