Johann Hunt
Every December seems to end with the same quiet question—what if the way we begin really does matter? Some call it tradition, others call it superstition, but everyone’s got their way of nudging fate. As the clock resets, explore how people everywhere try to start strong, and maybe find a ritual that fits your next beginning.
Eating 12 Grapes At Midnight
As the clock strikes twelve in Spain, people eat twelve grapes—one for each month ahead. The custom began in the early 1900s when grape farmers promoted it to sell surplus harvests. Today, countries like Argentina, Mexico, and the Philippines keep the lucky tradition alive.
Jumping Off A Chair At Midnight
In Denmark, celebration means taking a literal leap into the new year. As the clock hits twelve, people jump off chairs together to cast off misfortune. That brief moment in the air feels like leaving worries behind and landing straight into good luck.
Smashing Plates On Doorsteps
Good wishes in Denmark come with a crash. Friends throw plates against each other’s doors to bring happiness and drive away bad spirits. Each broken dish signals affection returned, a noisy reminder that friendship and luck can grow out of shared chaos.
Burning “Ano Viejo” Effigies
Firelight fills Ecuadorian streets on New Year’s Eve. Families craft “Ano Viejo” effigies shaped like politicians or famous faces, then burn them at midnight. The flames erase misfortune and mark the moment the past year’s burdens turn into smoke and new beginnings.
Wearing Red Underwear
Across Italy and Spain, people reach for red underwear before the new year begins. The color signals luck and energy for the months ahead. In Brazil, red is worn for love, while yellow is chosen by those hoping prosperity finds them.
Walking Around The Block With A Suitcase
Colombians step into the new year with an empty suitcase in hand, circling their block at midnight to summon a year of travel. Some even run to boost their chances. The ritual, shared by Mexico, celebrates wanderlust and the wish for adventure.
Tossing White Flowers Into The Sea
On Brazil’s beaches, midnight waves carry wishes to the sea goddess Lemanja. Dressed in white for peace, people toss white flowers, candles, and perfume into the surf. Each offering asks for blessings and renewal, which turns the shoreline into a glowing altar of hope.
Hanging Onions On The Door
Greek families welcome the new year by tying onions to their doors after midnight. The onion’s constant regrowth makes it a natural symbol of renewal. Hanging it ensures the household enters the year with vitality and the promise of fresh beginnings.
First-Footing With A Dark-Haired Visitor
Across Scotland, the new year truly starts when the “first-footer” steps through the door. A dark-haired guest carrying gifts such as coal or whisky signals prosperity ahead. The Hogmanay custom celebrates friendship and fortune while warding off the superstition of unlucky visitors.
Eating Black-Eyed Peas And Greens
In the American South, New Year’s Day begins with a bowl of black-eyed peas and greens. Each pea represents coins, and every green leaf stands for money. Cornbread, said to symbolize gold, completes the plate and strengthens the wish for prosperity.