Handsel Monday

Handsel Monday is the first Monday of the new year

Handsel Monday is a fun holiday to give a gift literally into the hands of someone else to signify good luck in starting the year. The idea is to bring good luck to those around you as you enter into a new year together. 

The gift is not as significant as the symbolism. When giving a gift, share something that means something to both you and the receiver. Giving a token of appreciation with time off, special favors, treats, or other fun gifts, is meant to bring a positive start to the year. 

History of Handsel Monday

The word “handsel” originates from the old Saxon word which means “to deliver into the hand”. The holiday stems from an old Scottish tradition where masters would give their servants presents and give them the day off. At the time, it was unusual for workers to get any kind of appreciation or bonus from their master or boss. This day allowed for even the poorest to have a luxury they could not otherwise afford. The day often included feasts, celebrations with music, food, and drinks. In some towns, there would be a procession and street parade after midnight. Mornings would include a breakfast feast and the delivery of handels, or presents to the workers

Gifts and money were given as tokens of good luck and the start of something new. 

How to Celebrate Handsel Monday

• Give a meaningful gift that holds significance for both you and the receiver
• Give money to bring monetary luck for the rest of the year
• Give a gift to your children or other family members
• Give a gift to a beggar or homeless person
• Give a gift to someone unexpectedly such as your postal worker, your lawn service person, 
• Take a gift to your neighbor
• Share a gift with your child's teacher
• Give a gift to anyone you appreciate and who helps you throughout the year. 
• Give your employees the day off or treat them to a breakfast feast at the office. 

What to Give

• Money
• Gift Certificates
• Food basket
• Messages of appreciation
• Bosses give a gift that is significant of the appreciation for the work and has meaning to your employees, for example, if you know an employee has been wanting something but is unable to afford it, now is the time to treat them to it! A vacation, a handbag, a dinner gift certificate to their favorite restaurant, a gift certificate for that new suit, etc. 
• Families can make this a day that is about giving something small to each other that will make each family member prosper with good luck in the new year. 
• Friends can create a handsel circle of giving and give a token to each other that will help each in their lives throughout the year. 
• Important to note on this day, if you give someone a handbag, it should not be empty!

How Handsel Day Unites People

This day is all about giving to the people who do things for you. It isn't just for employers and bosses. Parents can give to their kids, teachers, babysitters and others who help them throughout the year. Teachers can give to parents who help out in their classroom. Neighbors can give to neighbors. Owners of small businesses can give to the local community. And yes, bosses can give to their workers to show appreciation and give their people money or something of significance to allow them to have a luxury they couldn't normally afford. 

This day reminds us that giving and doing nice things for others, always comes back to you in some form. That is the luck of Handsel Day!