New Year's Eve Traditions
What are you doing for New Year's Eve? Want to travel abroad? We are sure you will watch the fireworks and drink champagne as soon as the clock hits 12 o'clock. But would you also participate in the following traditions?
1. New Year's Eve in Spain
While most people drink a glass of champagne at midnight, the Spanish take a different route. In Spain the tradition is to eat twelve grapes at the turn of the year, one for each stroke of the bell. If you manage to eat twelve grapes within the twelve bells, you will bring happiness and good luck to the New Year. Special small boxes of grapes are even sold in the supermarkets this time of year, specifically for this tradition. Another fun fact: Spaniards also believe that wearing red underwear on New Year's Eve will bring extra happiness for the upcoming year.
2. New Year's Eve in Australia
Grab a pan or pot, a spoon and walk across the street, making as much noise as possible on New Year's Eve. This is the tradition in Australia, as people see it as a sign of good luck, and that the noise keeps evil spirits away. Go into the new year with great fireworks at the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
3. New Year's Eve in Scotland
Do you wanna close the year as a real Scot? In Scotland, they fill barrels with tar, put them on fire, and roll them over the street. The new year is also celebrated with the song "Auld Lang Syne" at midnight. New Year's is also called Hogmanay, the celebration of the Winter Solstice. The celebrations are normally stretched to the 1st of January and people typically enjoy a steak pie as a hangover meal.
4. New Year's Eve in France
In France on New Year's Eve, or le réveillon de Nouvel an as they like to call it, the French meet with family and friends for a big dinner. It goes on for hours with culinary dishes such as oysters, escargot, foie gras, smoked salmon and other delicacies. The French believe that a proper meal on New Year's Eve will bring wealth and prospetity to the house. Champagne is a must on New Year's Eve. Party with family and friends until the late hours. Bonne année!
5. New Year's Eve in Denmark
Do you have old crockery at home? This can be put to use for your New Year's celebrations in Denmark. In the country, it's customary to throw your crockery against your neighbor's door. The larger the pile, the more friends and the more luck you will have in the new year.
6. New Year's Eve in Russia
In Russia, the tradition for New Year's Eve is to write your wish on a piece of paper, burn it, throw the ashes in your glass with champagne, and drink it at exactly 12 o'clock. If you finish your drink, it is believed that your wish will come true.
7. New Year's Eve in Hungary
Do not say "No" if you are offered a bottle of champagne in Hungary and be prepared to receive lots of kisses. At 12 o'clock everyone sings along with the national anthem.
8. New Year's Eve in Italy
In Italy, Italians will party until the late hours at the New Year's Eve Ball Capo di Capo and stay awake to witness the first sunrise of the new year. Felice Anno Nuovo!
9. New Year's Eve in China
In China, the New Year is celebrated from late January to mid-February for no less than 15 days. Traditions include painting your front door red, cleaning the house, paying off debts and celebrating in new clothes. Red is considered to be the happiest and luckiest colour in China, so you'll see a lot of red during this time.
10. New Year's Eve in Germany
Lead casting is part of the New Year in Germany. Bleigießen in German means pouring hot lead into a pot of water. Pouring lead is a tradition in which hot lead is heated in a spoon over a candle or other fire. The molten lead is poured into cold water where it takes whatever shape the future is read from. You can also toast to the New Year with a glass of sparkling wine.
Did you enjoy reading about unique New Year's Eve traditions around the world? Of course, these were only some of the traditions that exist in the world, but we hope you found something fascinating during your read.
We wish you a safe holiday and a "Happy New Year"!