Hanging Onions

by Jill Tuggle, ABAT Executive Director

Nearly every country celebrates the new year. Some celebrate at different times and almost every nation celebrates in a different way. In the US, we have the iconic ball drop in Times Square – while here in Texas we make sure to eat our black eyed peas! 

There are some pretty cool traditions around the globe. For example, if you’re in Denmark, you will want to wake up to as many broken dishes on your doorstep as possible! The Danish will break plates on their friends’ doorsteps to bring them good luck for the year. In Spain, you will be challenged to eat 12 grapes in a matter of seconds – one for each chime of the clock as it strikes midnight. And since it’s summertime in Brazil this time of year, locals will head to the beach to jump seven waves while making seven wishes.

But the one tradition that really spoke to me was the ancient Greek tradition of hanging onions outside your door. The onion symbolizes fertility and growth, with its ability to sprout on its own representing a powerful life cycle of rejuvenation. Sometimes, the Greeks will adorn the onions with coins, honey or olives to add additional symbology of prosperity, food and growth.

With the collision industry having plenty of room for improvement, my job at ABAT keeps me a little too busy to nurture my inner Martha Stewart these days, so when I read about this, it reminded me of my own journey with onions. About five years ago, I had a thriving garden with leeks planted along the edge. To this day, this onion variety remains the only fertile crop from my once plentiful (but now apocalyptic) garden. Each spring, the row still takes root, grows, provides a harvest and then blooms for its own reproduction. 

On top of that, onions are a powerful superfood. In addition to their flavor, they can purify the air and keep away harmful bacteria and impurities due to their sulfuric compounds. Onions are also believed to have great health benefits to help boost your immunity, reduce cancer risk and regulate cholesterol levels. 

Onions are sounding like a pretty good choice as we approach 2025 – a year in which we will be focusing on growth and major industry change.

Right as 2025 kicks off, so will the 89th legislative session in Texas. Our legislature will meet beginning on January 14, and we are going to throw everything we have at passing some laws that address safe and proper repairs and the consumers’ Right to Appraisal in Texas. ABAT will need to increase its membership and legislative funds exponentially to make this happen. 

Will you join us to “hang an onion” for our industry this New Year’s Day? Or maybe clink a glass, power down some grapes or fling a saucer at your neighbor this New Year’s Day to bring us some prosperity for 2025. Whatever you do for the holiday, please make it your resolution to join arms with us and show up for your state in 2025!

Want more? Check out the December 2024 issue of Texas Automotive!