The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

ON THE STROKE OF TWELVE ON NEW YEAR'S EVE, A MAN IN THE
HOUSE WILL OPEN THE FRONT DOOR TO LET THE NEW YEAR IN AND
OPEN THE BACK DOOR TO LET THE OLD YEAR OUT.

Submitter comment: MY MOTHER'S FATHER USED TO DO THIS EVERY YEAR, IT WAS
AN OLD ENGLISH CUSTOM. THIS IS STILL CONTINUED IN OUR
FAMILY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HARPER WOODS

Date learned: 11-02-1971