New Year’s Day in Guernsey ― Date, History, and Details
New Year’s Day in Guernsey may be something you want to learn more about, and we want to help with that.
Let's dive deeper into learning more about the history of New Year’s Day in Guernsey and why people celebrate or observe it.
History of New Year’s Day in Guernsey and How to Celebrate/ Observe It
Guernsey celebrates New Year’s Day on January 1st, just like many other countries around the world. However, Guernsey also has its own unique way of celebrating the occasion.
One of the most popular traditions is the ‘first-footing’. This involves going to visit friends and family on New Year’s Day and being the first person to cross the threshold. It is said that this will bring good luck to the household for the year ahead.
Another tradition is to make a special cake called a ‘galette des Rois’. This is a large round cake which is filled with cream and decorated with a paper crown. A small token is hidden inside the cake and whoever finds it is said to be the ‘king or queen’ of the day.
Of course, no New Year’s Day celebration would be complete without a glass of champagne! In Guernsey, it is traditional to drink a toast to ‘La Bonne Année’ (the good year) at midnight on December 31st.