New Year Rituals and checklist

As the new year approaches, people across the globe engage in a variety of fun and fascinating superstitions to bring good luck, prosperity, and positive energy into their lives.

These traditions, passed down through generations, often involve rituals, symbols, and actions that are believed to influence the year ahead. Whether it's eating specific foods, wearing certain colors, or performing quirky actions, these customs add excitement and meaning to New Year’s celebrations. Here’s a look at some of the most popular and fun New Year’s superstitions from around the world:

1. Eating 12 Grapes at Midnight (Spain & Latin America)

•In Spain and many Latin American countries, it's a tradition to eat 12 grapes, one for each chime of the clock at midnight. Each grape represents one month of the year, and eating them quickly is said to bring good luck for each month.

2. Jumping Off a Chair (Denmark)

•In Denmark, people leap off a chair at midnight to "jump" into the new year. It’s believed to banish bad spirits and bring good luck and happiness for the year ahead.

3. Burning an Effigy (Ecuador & Colombia)

•People in Ecuador and Colombia make an effigy called Año Viejo (Old Year), typically filled with fireworks, and burn it at midnight. This symbolizes leaving the old year behind and welcoming the new one with a bang.

4. Wearing Red Underwear (Italy & Latin America)

•In Italy and many Latin American countries, it’s customary to wear red underwear on New Year's Eve. It’s believed that red brings love, passion, and happiness in the year ahead.

5. Smashing Plates (Denmark, Greece)

•In Denmark, smashing plates on New Year’s Eve is a fun tradition to rid oneself of bad luck. In Greece, breaking pomegranates at the door is also a way to invite prosperity and good fortune into the home.

6. Open Doors and Windows (Italy & Spain)

•At midnight, opening doors and windows is said to let the old year out and make room for the new year. It’s a way of clearing the air of bad spirits and making space for good fortune.

7. Jumping Over Bonfires (Brazil & Latin America)

•In Brazil and some parts of Latin America, people jump over bonfires at midnight to purify themselves and start the new year with a clean slate. It’s believed to bring good health and happiness.

8. Kissing Someone at Midnight (Various Countries)

•A fun and romantic superstition, kissing someone at midnight is thought to guarantee a year filled with love and good relationships. If you’re single, you might want to make sure you get that first kiss in!

9. Banging Pots and Pans (Various Countries)

•In many cultures, particularly in the U.S., Canada, and parts of Europe, it’s traditional to make a lot of noise at midnight by banging pots, pans, or even ringing bells. This is believed to scare away evil spirits and bring good energy into the new year.

10. No Crying on New Year's Day (Various)

•It’s considered bad luck to start the new year with tears, as it’s thought to set the tone for a sad year. This superstition encourages everyone to begin the year with a smile, laughter, and positive energy.

11. Eating Black-Eyed Peas (Southern U.S.)

•In the southern United States, it’s a tradition to eat black-eyed peas on New Year’s Day, often with greens and cornbread. The peas are thought to bring good luck and wealth for the coming year.

12. Running Around the Block (Venezuela)

•In Venezuela, some people run around the block with an empty suitcase at midnight, hoping for a year filled with travel and adventure.

13. No Laundry on New Year's Day (Various Countries)

•It’s considered bad luck to do laundry on New Year’s Day in places like Greece and Finland. The superstition suggests that washing clothes on this day will "wash away" the good fortune of the year ahead.

14. Throwing Old Things Out (Italy)

•In Italy, some people throw old items, such as furniture, out of their windows on New Year's Eve as a symbolic way of getting rid of negative energy and making way for new opportunities.

15. Wishing at Midnight (Various Countries)

•A common superstition across many cultures is that making a wish at midnight will make it come true. People often use this time to set personal goals or express hopes for happiness, love, and success in the year to come.

16. Wearing Polka Dots (Philippines)

•In the Philippines, wearing clothes with polka dots (or eating round fruits) is believed to attract wealth. The round shapes symbolize coins and are thought to bring prosperity and financial luck.

17. Walking Backwards (Puerto Rico & Other Countries)

•In Puerto Rico, people walk backwards at midnight to ensure that they leave all the bad luck of the old year behind and start fresh with their eyes set forward.

18. Lighting Fireworks (Various Countries)

•Lighting fireworks at midnight is a fun way to celebrate the New Year in many parts of the world. It’s also believed to chase away bad spirits, ensuring a fresh start for the new year.

19. Placing a Bill Under the Doormat (Portugal)

•In Portugal, placing a bill or a coin under the doormat is thought to bring financial abundance. It’s believed that wealth will flow into the home throughout the year.

20. Leaving a Red Envelope with Money in the Bedroom (Chinese and Asian Cultures)

•In some Chinese and Asian traditions, placing a red envelope containing money in the bedroom is believed to bring wealth and prosperity for the new year. The red envelope symbolizes good fortune, and the money is thought to invite abundance and blessings into your home and life for the upcoming year.

21. Jumping Over Waves (Brazil, Portugal, and Latin America)

•In Brazil, Portugal, and some Latin American countries, people celebrate New Year’s Eve by jumping over waves at the beach at midnight. This tradition is believed to bring good luck, cleanse away the old year’s troubles, and bring blessings of prosperity, health, and happiness. In Brazil, it’s often connected to honoring Iemanjá, the goddess of the sea, with the hope that she will grant a fresh start and blessings for the year ahead.

No matter which superstition you partake in, make sure to take care of yourself and focus on what truly matters—your health, happiness, and well-being. Whether it’s through traditions, setting intentions, or simply enjoying the moment, embrace the new year with positivity and joy. Here's to a fresh start, filled with love, success, and good fortune!