New year’s traditions vary from country to country. From fun, quirky traditions to more unusual customs, we’ve pulled together a list of interesting New Year’s traditions from different countries. From food-oriented traditions to traditions that take place in your own home, there’s a myriad of new year’s traditions which happen around the world that bring good luck and prosperity for the new year. So, if you need more luck for the upcoming year go ahead and try these traditions.
Spain
One interesting new year’s eve tradition in Spain is the fact that they wear red underwear for good luck but they have to be a gift from someone otherwise it doesn’t count. Moreover, on New Year’s eve, once the clock strikes midnight, the Spanish take 12 grapes and eat one per second to represent luck in the next 12 months.
Furthermore, in Spain, the act of gift-giving occurs two times during the holidays. The first time is on the 25th of December when Santa Claus brings the presents and the second time is on the 6th of January when the Three Wise Men bring gifts. Specifically, young children leave food for the men and water for the camels. The day before the Wise Men arrive, the locals eat a special cake called El Roscon de Reyes (the cake of the Wise Men), which has little presents hidden in them. However, on the cake there is one bad present and whoever finds that has to pay for the cake.
Denmark
You wouldn’t think you would find Denmark on this list, did you? But think again, the Danish love celebrating the festive holidays and have many new year traditions to go with them. One of the most fascinating new year traditions in Denmark is breaking
dishware on the doorsteps of friends and family for good luck. Hence, the more shards there are in front of your home the next day, the luckier and more well-liked you are by everyone. Another Danish new year’s tradition is people standing on their chairs on New Year’s Eve, while the new year enters. This ultimately brings good luck and removes all bad spirits, so you can have a fresh and positive start to the year.
United States of America
Possibly one of the most famous New Year’s Eve events across the world is the New York, Times Square “ball-drop” event. Approximately, one million people will crowd into the square to watch the famous ball drop and around one billion people will watch it from home from all around the globe. Hence, attending this event and having a midnight kiss at the event is on many people’s bucket lists.
A common question around this topic is “Why do you kiss on New Year's Eve?”. According to Dr Compora, a professor at the University of Toledo, the tradition of the nye kiss originates from English and German folklore and indicates that the kiss will bring luck to the couple throughout the year.
If you are considering attending the busiest event of the year, make sure you attend early to get a good spot and dress in warm clothes.
Greece
One of the most common New Year’s traditions in Greece is eating vasilopita, a sweet cake which has a little twist. The Vasilopita is made in honour of St.Basil whose name day is celebrated on the 1st of January and is eaten a few minitues after the new year comes. The cake has a lucky coin baked into it, so whoever finds it has good luck for the next year. The cake is cut by the oldest member, households in most cases the grandparents who will set a slice of cake aside for the saint and another portion for those in need. These special pieces are eaten the next day by members of the household.
Another interesting new year’s tradition in Greece is the hanging onion bundles above their house doors, which invites prosperity, fertility and good luck into the house. This tradition is more common in the villages in Greece.
Conclusion
Well, that’s Parkwood Springs's top list of new year traditions around the world. Let us know, which traditions fascinated you the most in the comment section below.
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