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Celebrate New Year's Eve With One of These New Traditions from Around the World
Here are 8 New Year's Eve traditions from around the world you may just want to make your own!
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Fireworks, champagne, and watching the ball drop mean it’s New Year's Eve here in America. However, all around the world, there are tons of unique traditions that other cultures partake in. This year, why not borrow one of those traditions and make it your own? Here are some of our favorites.
Spain: Eat 12 Grapes
At the stroke of midnight, Spanish folks will eat 12 grapes with every toll of the clock for good luck. Sounds like a delicious accompaniment to a glass of champagne!
Brazil: Toss White Flowers into the Ocean
Brazilians head to the shoreline on New Year's Eve to toss white flowers into the ocean, in honor of Iemanjá, their goddess of the sea. Being by the sea is a great way to start off your year, and if you don’t live nearby, you can still partake in the white flower portion. Brighten up your home with some white lilies, peonies, or roses.
Italy: Wear Red Underwear
Italians put on red underwear to ring in the New Year. Treat yourself to some new undies for this special occasion. We like this retro women's thong from Hanky Panky or these sparkly-waisted panties from Victoria’s Secret.
Japan: Slurp Some Soba Noodles
The weather is probably chilly where you are, so a warm bowl of soba noodles may be the comforting dinner idea you need this New Year’s Eve. Soba noodles are made from buckwheat flour and are thin noodles similar to spaghetti. It is believed that the soba noodle’s thin shape and long length is meant to signify a long and healthy life.
Mexico: Taste Some Tamales
Tamales are a traditional Mexican food that is a dough made from corn stuffed with either meat or cheese, steamed in a corn husk, and they can be found at most special occasions in Mexico. On New Year's Eve, Mexican women often gather to make tamales to give out to friends and family. Take a page from their book and cook one of your own favorite dishes to deliver to loved ones. And if you can find tamales to try, definitely taste these delicious delights!
Canada: Ice Fishing
New Year's Eve is often spent outside around a fishing hole in this country. If you happen to live in an area where you can do the same, trade out your typical New Year's Eve dress for some thermals and a warm parka, and head outside! Catch a fish and spend New Year’s Day preparing for a one-of-a-kind dinner that evening.
Ireland: Bang Some Bread
In Ireland they have a tradition of banging bread against the walls of their homes to ward off evil spirits and welcome in good luck. Couldn’t hurt, right? If you have young kids they’ll probably love this new silly tradition!
Denmark: Smash Plates
In this country, Danish folks throw plates at their friend’s and neighbor’s doors. They then take pride in the amount of smashed china found on their front doorsteps the following day. The more broken dishware, the luckier you’ll be in the new year. We wouldn’t advise doing this exact tradition, but if you’ve got some dishware to spare, smashing it outside your own home could be some much needed tension release.
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