New Year’s Resolutions And Peppermint Pigs™

Here we are again – the beginning of a New Year and time to make New Year’s resolutions. Ever wondered why we do such a thing? Here’s a quick history.

January is named after an ancient mythical Roman king named Janus. He became the symbol for resolutions because he had two faces that enabled him to look back on the past while at the same time looking ahead to the future. This resulted in the tradition of seeking forgiveness from enemies and exchanging gifts at the beginning of the New Year. So that’s it, the history of New Year’s resolutions.

There’s another year-end tradition that you probably haven’t heard about. It’s the story of the Peppermint Pig™. Why a pig? Because they represent happiness, health and prosperity.

Candy makers in Saratoga Springs, New York started the tradition in the 1880’s (kind of like a Hallmark holiday). At the end of the holiday meal, families would place a Peppermint Pig™ in a special pouch and break it using a miniature hammer. Everyone would eat a piece of the candy in hopes of gaining good fortune for the coming year.

You’re probably not surprised to learn that I have a Peppermint Pig™. I’m not superstitious or anything, but every year I go through a little Peppermint Pig™ type ritual to increase the odds the New Year will be filled with good fortune.

I pull out my custom made pig dresden, write down my New Year’s resolutions on my pig pad using my pig pen by the light of my pig candle in the presence of my Glucksschwein (lucky pig) while sipping wine (that had been in a bottle that was sealed with my pig stopper) from my swine glass (i.e., pig mug), throwing salt over my shoulder using my pig salt shaker then breaking my Peppermint Pig™ in its little red pouch using my miniature hammer. I do it at home so it’s not weird or anything. So far I think it’s worked pretty well!

Happy New Year and may the farce be with you!

Your IFF,

Pam

Perfectly normal non-superstitious year-end good luck pig ritual that might actually work

BTW –  If you’re interested in purchasing your own Peppermint Pig™, go to Saratoga Sweets.