Good Luck to You



Istanbul streets via HurriyetDailyNews.com

 I thought it would be fun to share some Turkish New Year traditions.

1. Clean the house from top to bottom. (Gripe. Should've married someone who likes that "new red underwear" tradition instead.)
2. Decorate with strings of lights, like we do here.
3. Decorate a tree. Some people are superstitious of having last year's decorated tree in the house on New Years Day, but in Turkey the tree is sometimes part of the celebration.
4. Have a special dinner with your family and friends. I personally have an intimate dinner on the 31st and a nice brunch with family on the 1st.
5. You've probably heard the saying "Set out on the right foot". Turks take it literally. They step into a new home or new place of business on the right foot. I "step" into the New Year on my right foot with a small prayer when I get out of bed on January 1st. 

Hey, it can't hurt!

Red underwear and grapes, symbols of good luck
Chic Istanbul neighborhood rolls out red carpet for new year