New Year's Eve traditions from all over the world
Traditions can be something very nice, especially at the end of the year. Because they help us to consciously celebrate the past, let go of the old and embrace the new. But: If you do exactly the same thing every year, you might also want a change or twoevening. It's a good thing that the world has so many different customs and rituals that you can try out. We have collected 17 of the most beautiful, bizarre - and yes, also tastiest - traditions for you and explain how you can easily recreate them at home.
Getty Images
1. USA: Watch the “Ball Drop”.
Every New Year's Eve, millions of Americans gather around their televisions (or on the streets of New York's Times Square) to watch the ball drop at midnight. The former owner of theNew York Times, Adolph Ochs, launched the event in 1907 to draw attention to the newspaper's new headquarters. Since then, it has been an annual spectacle and one of the most popular New Year's Eve celebrations.
If you don't feel like watching a boring live stream on New Year's Eve, you can recreate your own "ball drop" in the garden or on the balcony. To do this, you can either fill a balloon with confetti and glitter and pop it at midnight, or you can get a piñata from a party outfitter, which all party guests can then smash at midnight.
Getty Images
2. Brazil: Wave hopping
In Brazil there is a special tradition for everyone who lives close to the sea: a nighttime walk to the water and seven jumps over seven waves. While jumping you can make a total of seven wishes for the New Year.
The tradition pays homage to Yemanja, the goddess of water, and is usually performed in white clothes as they symbolize purity and new beginnings. Of course, we don't all live by the sea, but a little night hike to a nearby stream or pond with collective wish-talking sounds like it could be a fun activity in real company.
Getty Images
3. Spain: Eat 12 grapes
This Spanish tradition is much easier to implement than wave jumping from Brazil. The Spanish start their New Year by eating 12 grapes, each of which symbolizes the strike of the clock at midnight and the months ahead. The tradition of “the twelve grapes of luckbegan in the late 19th century and is said to ward off evil and increase the chances of a prosperous and happy New Year.
The highlight: You can only start eating when the first chime of the clock sounds and you must have eaten all the grapes when the last chime rings. If you don't have a pendulum clock at home anymore (because let's be honest, who does), simply set a timer on your cell phone to 36 seconds - the time it takes for 12 clock strikes.
Getty Images
4. India: Build a figure of an old man and then burn it
There is a tradition in India that reminds us a lot of ex-boyfriend rituals from our favorite 2000s rom-coms. To do this, a small man figure is made from plasticine or papier-mâché and burned shortly before midnight. The burning symbolizes the farewell to the old year and is intended to make room for something new. If you want, write things on the bottom of your figure that you want to let go of in the coming year. In any case, with this tradition you should pay attention to fire safety and carry out the burning in a fire bowl in the garden or over a fire-safe grill.
Getty Images
5. Japan: Eat soba noodles
This tradition is also an appetizer idea for your New Year. In Japan, some people start the New Year with a warm bowl of soba noodles. The tradition dates back to the Kamakura period and goes back to a Buddhist temple that distributed the noodles to the poor. The noodles therefore represent a new beginning and “better times”.
Getty Images
6. France: Feast with champagne
France and champagne simply belong together like spring and flowers. No wonder that a popular tradition in France makes fine sparkling wine the protagonist. The champagne is usually served with foie gras, oysters and a selection of exquisite French cheeses. Save water, drink champagne – and Happy New Year!
Getty Images
7. Haiti: Shared soup Joumou
This tradition is particularly linked to the history of Haiti. January 1st is not only the first day of the new year, but also Haitian Independence Day. Therefore, on January 1st. Ate a special pumpkin soup, “Soup Joumou”, which is intended to remind us that enslaved black people were previously not allowed to eat it. Family members, friends and people in the neighborhood are visited and everyone brings some of their own soup and exchanges it with that of the others. Because everyone does them a little differently.
The historical legacy of this tradition is of course very special and cannot simply be replicated. But the idea of visiting your friends and relatives on New Year's Day with home-made food and planning a kind of “house hopping” is something that you can certainly borrow from the Haitians. Because what could be nicer than starting the year with all your loved ones?
Getty Images
8. Denmark: Throwing old plates
This Danish New Year's Eve tradition is perfect for anyone who wants to really let out their pent-up aggression at the end of the year. Similar to the local hen party, broken dishes are collected in front of your own house or driveway on New Year's Eve. Tradition says that the more broken dishes you pile up on your doorstep, the better off you are - in short: broken pieces bring good luck. In addition, the broken dishes are a strong symbol of all the burdens from the past year that you would like to leave behind. Whether you want to pursue this cathartic experience alone or meet up with friends to throw dishes is up to you - just don't throw each other off.
Getty Images
9. Canada: Ice fishing
Icy temperatures aren't stopping Canadians from starting the new year with their favorite sport: ice fishing. Families rent heated cabins and cooking equipment so they can enjoy their feast on the spot. And even though ice fishing is not allowed in this country, you can still enjoy an aperitif in the snow on New Year's Eve or resort to the classic "winter barbecue", with stick bread and everything that goes with it - ideally with a small campfire to combat the cold. You can also rent patio heaters via various platforms.
Getty Images
10. Philippines: Serve 12 round fruits
Similar to the Spaniards and their 12 grapes, 12 round fruits are served in the Philippines on New Year's Eve - such as apples, oranges or plums. They are said to manifest prosperity for the coming year because their shape symbolizes coins. Additionally, 12 is a lucky number and symbolizes the 12 months of a year. And let's put it this way: Given the financial crisis we're collectively in right now, that can't do any harm. And a few vitamins after all the Christmas feast anyway.
Getty Images
11. Mexico: Give away homemade tamales
In Mexico, families gather before New Year's Eve to cook together. “Tamales” are traditionally prepared - corn dough flatbreads filled with meat, cheese and vegetables, which are distributed to loved ones and neighbors on New Year's Eve. On New Year's Day, the warm pockets are often served with “Menudo,” a traditional Mexican soup made from cow stomach.
If you want to try out the tradition for yourself, you don't necessarily have to cook the corn dough flatbreads, but simply a dish of your choice that will keep for a few days - small quiches, strudels or something similar. Because above all, it's the thought that counts: namely, that you provide those around you with food with which they can then start the new year. Also: Everyone will thank you when they come on January 1st. If you're hungover, you don't have to cook anymore.
Getty Images
12. Greece: Hang an onion in front of the door
Not only are onions a staple food in Greece, some also believe they bring good luck for the coming year. Because the tuber stands for fertility and growth due to its special biological ability to sprout on its own. Traditionally, an onion is hung in front of the door on New Year's Day. If you want to try it out in this country, you can also turn it into a fun guessing game - bet your loved ones can't guess what it's all about?
Getty Images
13. Colombia: Place three potatoes under the bed
The Colombian tradition of three potatoes is, in a sense, biodegradable lead casting. To do this, place three potatoes under the bed of each family member - one peeled, one unpeeled and the last half peeled. At midnight, everyone reaches for one of these potatoes with their eyes closed, and depending on which one they get, a year of happiness (peeled), difficulties (unpeeled), or a mixture of both awaits them.
If you want to play natural lead casting with your friends, simply put the potatoes in a bowl, cover it with a kitchen towel and let the people take turns. If the prediction “luck”, “difficulties” or both is not precise enough for you, you can also look for a lead pouring table on the internet and label the potatoes with the different predictions before pulling.
Getty Images
14. Norway and Denmark: Celebrate with a huge cake
“Kransekake,” a traditional ring cake often consisting of at least 18 layers, is eaten on New Year's Eve in both Denmark and Norway. The sugary, cookie-like layers are held together with a delicious royal icing. The cake is also super decorative and makes a really good gift if you are invited to a friend's house on New Year's Eve.
Getty Images
15. Italy: Wear red underwear
You probably already know this custom, but did you also know that it has its origins in Italy? In the land of pasta and wine, red underwear is considered a kind of good luck charm and is therefore traditionally worn on New Year's Eve. Whether it really brings good luck or not: it is classy in any case, and what better time for a little extra glamor than on New Year's Eve?
Getty Images
16. Puerto Rico: Cleaning the house
Yes, admittedly, this tradition doesn't sound as fun as the rest of this list. But: Moving spring cleaning forward and starting the new year with a thoroughly cleaned home definitely gives you an incomparable “fresh start” feeling. If that's too boring for you, you can call for a cleaning party on December 30th and invite friends who will probably be happy to help you with loud music and a glass or two of Prosecco.
Getty Images
17. England: Listen to “Auld Lang Syne”.
On New Year's Eve, many British households traditionally gather around the television and wait for the bells of Big Ben to sound at midnight. When the bells ring, people often form a large circle, hold hands, and sing a version of the song “Auld Lang Syne,” which comes from a Scottish saying that translates as “for old times' sake.” ” means and sings about lost old friends and past events.
The special thing about this tradition is that, unlike most of the New Year's Eve traditions presented here, it does not only look to the future or want to "let go" of the old, but rather celebrates the conscious remembrance of beautiful things at the turn of the year. The song itself is wonderfully nostalgic, and you should have a tissue or two ready if you want to sing it with your loved ones on New Year's Eve.
This article was prepared with text passages from our GLAMOR colleagues from the USA.
