The holiday custom of Nei Yaahr Winsching (New Year Wishing) was brought over from the Pfaltz area of Rhineland, Germany by our forebears many generations ago. Sadly, the custom died out in most parts of Pennsylvania by the 20th century. The tradition did survive with some tried and true Pennsylvania Dutch folk in isolated pockets of Berks, Lehigh, and Carbon counties.

Source: PA Dutch tradition of New Year Wishing continues