The Bread Honey Salt Tradition for New Home Owners

This is a neat tradition that I never knew existed until a few years ago when I was searching for house warming gifts on Google. I wanted to give something special and with meaning. One site in particular described a Russian tradition – with several variations Bread, Salt, and Honey or Bread, Salt, and Wine. The original items of a broom to "sweep away evil", and a "pinch" of salt at the entrance of each door to ward off evil and bring good luck, and bread so the home owners will never go hungry are universal. Depending on where you live, other items may have their own significance.

One of the poems found went like this:

Bread so your larder* will always be full
Salt to give it savour
Honey for a sweet life in your new home

You can't go wrong if you try to incorporate some sense of tradition in your housewarming gift. In Asia for example, rice was given to newlyweds as a sign of fertility. That's why even today we still throw rice at weddings. An owl is a big item in Italy. It is supposed to bring good luck and ward off evil at the same time. Other cultures let a cat enter the house first. Of course you are not going to bring a real cat to a house warming, but statues of the animal may be appreciated, especially if you explain the history behind them. Below, I included a recipe called Russian Tea that I sometimes take as a hostess gift. Its not Russian and its not really tea either!

Item/Gift Significance
Bread You will never go hungry
Broom Sweep away the evil; Your house will always be clean
Candle You will always have light
Coin Bring good fortune for the year
Honey Represents the sweetness of life
Knife Protect against intruders
Olive Oil Health, Light and believe it or not, keep your husband faithful
Penny Keep the friend from ever being at the end of the knife
Rice Sign of fertility
Salt Good luck; Mend all wounds
Wine Never go thirsty; Your home brings you happiness and joy
Wood Your life/home will always have stability, harmony and peace

* A larder is another name for a pantry

Russian Tea
My family makes this every year around the holidays. It’s also great for a quickie hostess gift during the holidays or anytime. Fill a jar or tin and decorate however you like and Voila!

2 cups Tang
¾ cup dry instant tea
1 small pkg of lemonade
1 ½ cup sugar
¾ tsp cinnamon
¾ tsp ground clove

Mix in a large bowl. Store in an airtight container. Use 1-2 spoonfuls of mix for a tea cup of hot water