New Year’s Prosperity
Dear Dr. Per Cap:
We’re pretty tapped out from Christmas. What’s an inexpensive way to celebrate New Year’s?
Signed,
Trying to be Thrifty
Dear Thrifty,
My spouse is from a southeastern tribe that takes pride in good, old-fashioned, Southern-style home cooking. I love her New Year’s routine that’s based on a tradition shared by many folks in the South.
Every Jan. 1, she cooks black-eyed peas and collard greens for good luck and prosperity.
The peas represent coins, and the greens represent paper money with the belief that eating these foods on New Year’s Day brings wealth in the coming year.
Naturally, I indulge in generous helpings of both while watching the Rose Bowl on the couch. If the lure of financial prosperity isn’t enough incentive, the health benefits of a leafy green vegetable paired with nutrient-rich legumes are a bonus for my aging dad bod.
Find satisfaction in keeping it simple this new year.
A delicious, home-cooked meal and a relaxing day enjoyed with friends and family is a good substitute for pricey party foods, adult beverages, and fireworks. Board games, puzzles, and crafts are also a great way to celebrate the holiday.
And don’t forget the music!
Some of my favorite holiday memories were spent at my aunt’s house where my cousin played piano while relatives from ages 8 to 80 sat around singing carols.
From New Year’s dances at Pueblos in the Southwest to sobriety powwows across Indian Country, many Native communities and urban areas offer family-friendly cultural events from Dec. 31 through Jan. 1. Check them out.
Wishing you a Happy New Year and a big helping of your favorite good-luck food!
Ask Dr. Per Cap is a program funded by First Nations Development Institute with assistance from the FINRA Investor Education Foundation. For more information, visit www.firstnations.org. To send a question to Dr. Per Cap, email askdrpercap@firstnations.org.