Story by: Ashton Coyle

As we begin 2010, many people are trying to live up to New Year’s resolutions. But where did this tradition come from? Does your resolution make the list of the top resolutions for 2010? Las Cruces residents, interviewed in this video, talk about their hopes for this new year.

Many people buy noise-makers to celebrate the new year. (Photo by Ashton Coyle)

Where did this tradition come from?

The tradition of New Year’s resolutions began in Rome and dates back to the year 153 B.C. The mythical Roman king, Janus (from whom we get the name of the first month of the year), was placed at the beginning of the Roman calendar because he had two faces, which gave him the ability to look both backward and forward at the same time. By doing so, he was able to reflect on his past and plan for his future all at once, and he thus became the symbol for resolutions.

The Romans looked to Janus for forgiveness of their sins as they proceeded into the new year. Some of the ancient rituals used to rid the spirit of the ghosts of the past included exorcisms and purifications, parades, bonfires and fireworks.

Gift giving was also a tradition used to mark the beginning of the new year. During the Middle Ages, the distinction between the New Year’s celebrations and those of Christmas become somewhat blurred. At one point, New Year’s Day was changed to Dec. 25, but later was changed back to Jan. 1.

Along with gift giving, other rituals are observed around the world to mark the beginning of the new year and to bring good luck. Some of these traditions include: eating black-eyed peas in America, eating lasagna in Sicily, eating 12 grapes at midnight in Spain and giving the front door a fresh coat of red paint in China. A complete list of good luck rituals can be found here.

New Year’s resolutions today

Today, the making of New Year’s resolutions continues to be a popular tradition for many Americans. Polls conducted by Quicken, General Nutrition Centers and others have been used to put together a list of the top-10 most popular resolutions for 2010 which are:

• stop smoking

• get fit

• lose weight

• enjoy life more

• quit drinking

• get organized

• learn something new

• get out of debt

• spend more time with friends and family

• help others.