In Scotland, Handsel Monday or Hansel Monday is the first Monday of the year. Traditionally, gifts ( sco, Hansels) were given at this time. Among the rural population of Scotland, '' Auld Hansel Monday'', is traditionally celebrated on the first Monday after January 12. This custom reflects a reluctance to switch from the old ( Julian) style calendar to the new ( Gregorian) calendar.''Holidays, Festivals, and Celebrations of the World Dictionary'', ''s.v.'' "Handsel Monday," Detroit: Omnigraphics, Inc., 2010
Retrieved 7 January 2013,

History

The word "handsel" originates from old Saxon word which means “to deliver into the hand”. It refers to small tips and gifts of money given as a token of good luck, particularly at the beginning of something; the modern house-warming gift would be a good example. An 1825 glossary marks Handsel Monday as an occasion "when it is customary to make children and servants a present". On this day, tips of small gifts were expected by servants, as well as by the postman, the deliverers of newspapers, scavengers, and all persons who wait upon the house. In this respect it is somewhat similar to Boxing Day, which eventually supplanted it. If the handsel was a physical object rather than money, tradition said that the object could not be sharp, or it would "cut" the relationship between the giver and the recipient. The day is known in

Scottish Gaelic Scottish Gaelic ( gd, Gàidhlig ), also known as Scots Gaelic and Gaelic, is a Goidelic language (in the Celtic branch of the Indo-European language family) native to the Gaels of Scotland. As a Goidelic language, Scottish Gaelic, as well ...

as (drained Monday). The custom was also known as “handseling a purse”. A new purse would not be given to anyone without placing money in it for good luck. Money received during Handsel Monday is supposed to ensure monetary luck all for the rest of the year. The period of festivities running from

Christmas Christmas is an annual festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, observed primarily on December 25 as a religious and cultural celebration among billions of people around the world. A feast central to the Christian liturgical year ...

to Handsel Monday, including Hogmanay and

Ne'erday New Year's Day is a festival observed in most of the world on 1 January, the first day of the year in the modern Gregorian calendar. 1 January is also New Year's Day on the Julian calendar, but this is not the same day as the Gregorian one. Whi ...

, is known as the Daft Days.

References

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External links

Handsel Monday
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Ludington Daily News The ''Ludington Daily News'' is the daily newspaper of Ludington, Michigan Ludington ( ) is the largest city and county seat of Mason County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 8,076. Ludington is a h ...

'' Christmas-linked holidays Scottish culture January observances Unofficial observances Holidays in Scotland Hogmanay Giving Holidays and observances by scheduling (nth weekday of the month) Monday Christmas in Scotland Winter events in Scotland