The name cotillion appears to have been in use as a dance-name in France during the Baroque period: originally, it was designed for four couples in square formation. While participants exchanged partners was very usual to flirt with other dancers, and that allowed young people to interact under careful supervision. At the end of the dance, small gifts were distributed to give more joy and animation in a sort of finale.
Jacob Duck, The Cotillion, mid-17th century painting, National Museum of Fine Arts of La Habana.
That is the origin of the tradition of delivering cotillion bags to those attending New Year’s Eve parties. These bags are full of masks, hats, flutes, trumpets, streamers… Garcia de Pou was the first company to introduce cotillion bags in the Spanish market fifty-five years ago, starting to sell later in Portugal and France. Currently these bags are also marketed in countries such as the Dominican Republic or Morocco.
Twelve green grapes, lentils and a kiss
Many people consider entering the new year wearing red underwear gives good luck. But, in Spain, the most popular tradition is to eat twelve green grapes, one for each chime at 12 in the night of December 31, after toasting with a glass of cava. If you eat all 12 by the end of the final bell’s toll then you will have good luck in the new year. This habit of the 19th century has been extended from the Iberian peninsula to several countries such as Mexico, Venezuela, Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru, Colombia and Costa Rica. Even it is held at Hay Flat, in the South of Australia.
We have a wide range of packaging for the 12 lucky grapes.
In Italy, during the “notte di Capodano”, the guests gather around the table and enjoy numerous delicacies, and at twelve o’clock they eat lentils and “cotechino” (large pork sausage). Lentils are considered by the Romans as a symbol of wealth. To have a prosperous year they must count the lentils as they are eating… It is a tradition that has centuries of history and that goes back to ancient Rome.
New Year’s Eve table decorated with products Garcia de Pou. We have many Christmas designs ideas for tables.
All over France, people welcome in the New Year with big parties, drinks and lots of music. On the Champs Elysées thousands of Parisians flock to watch the fireworks show that unfolds on the city. One of the traditions is to drink champagne and, of course, to kiss at the stroke of midnight, preferably under a branch of mistletoe.
See the collection of single-use cups for sparkling García de Pou.
In the Christmas Party and Halloween catalogue you will find more products like centerpieces, boxes for wine bottles and lots, paper gift bags, paper cloths and napkins with Christmas designs… If desired, you can request samples to [email protected]
