New Year's Day memories: Playing football in the snow, and watching football with my Poppy

The first day of the year is like a 24-hour hangover, no alcohol consumption necessary. The marathon holiday season—from Thanksgiving on through the December holidays and New Year’s Eve—is finally over. New Year’s Day is the day after the party, when we have to come down from all the highs (and lows and everything in between) of the previous weeks.

My family never had any New Year’s Day traditions growing up, and I haven’t imparted any to my kids either. Most of the time, Jan. 1 is just a quiet day at home together—and perhaps it could be said that’s a tradition in itself.

But the day and I do have some great history and some childhood memories I treasure.