By Christine Price
Columnist
Amidst all the stress, anxiety, craziness and bad news, my goal is to spotlight and share the good news in our community.
As the clock inches toward midnight on Dec. 31, the new year is welcomed in countless ways around the world. Some of us gather in living rooms armed with noisemakers and party hats, watching the ball drop from the comfort of our couches. Others cook fancy dinners, dine out or try their best to stay awake until midnight.
New Year’s is one of those rare holidays that’s celebrated almost everywhere – yet no two places welcome it quite the same way. I did a little research, and the traditions I found are both interesting and, at times, very funny. Let’s start with Spain.
New year traditions around the world
As the clock strikes midnight, Spaniards eat 12 grapes, one with each chime of the clock. Each grape represents good luck for one month of the coming year. Miss a grape and you might miss a little good luck. I don’t know about you, but eating 12 grapes in 12 seconds sounds more than challenging.
In Italy, many people wear red underwear on New Year’s Eve – a tradition believed to bring love, health and prosperity. My grandmother was born in Italy, which makes me wonder if she knew red symbolized vitality and good fortune. And that makes me wonder if she welcomed the new year dressed accordingly. Some things are probably best left as family mysteries.
New Year’s Eve takes on a much more spiritual tone in Japan. At midnight, Buddhist temples ring their bells 108 times, symbolizing the cleansing of human sins and negative emotions. Families also enjoy special foods meant to bring longevity and happiness. That sounds like a peaceful way to start a new year.
In Brazil, particularly in Rio de Janeiro, thousands of people dressed in white gather along the beaches. Many jump seven waves, making a wish with each one and some offer flowers to the sea in hopes of good fortune.
Danes literally leap into the new year by standing on chairs and jumping off at midnight. To bring luck, old dishes are sometimes broken on friends’ doorsteps. I can’t help but think this tradition requires very understanding neighbors.
In Scotland, New Year’s, known as Hogmanay, is actually bigger than Christmas. One tradition, called first-footing, involves the first person to enter a home after midnight bringing gifts such as coal or bread to ensure prosperity. There is a lot of pressure on that first visitor!
In Greece, families bake a vasilopita, a cake with a hidden coin inside. Whoever finds the coin in their slice is said to have good luck for the entire year. I’d gladly take a second piece – just to improve my odds.
In the Philippines, circles symbolize prosperity. People wear polka dots, serve round fruits and even keep coins in their pockets to attract wealth in the coming year. I have always loved polka dots but never knew they were associated with prosperity.
And in Colombia, some people take a walk around the block carrying an empty suitcase, hoping it will bring travel opportunities in the year ahead. I’d call that optimism on wheels.
New year traditions in the USA
There are certainly a lot of interesting – and sometimes quirky – New Year’s traditions around the world. It got me thinking. If a writer in another country were writing an article about how Americans celebrate New Year’s Eve, what would they say?
It might go something like this – in the United States, Americans wear funny party hats, twirl noisemakers, blow horns and toast with champagne. At midnight, they all turn on their TVs, count down together and watch a giant ball drop from the sky. I guess every culture has its own version of “crazy.”
The customs may look different from country to country, but they all carry the same quiet hope – that when the calendar turns, the year ahead will bring a little more luck, joy, and promise than the one left behind.
Happy New Year!
When you see good news, and you will, please let me know. I would love to share it. Please include your name, phone number and city you live in and email.
