There’s something really special about celebrating the start of the New Year with those you love and hold dear to your heart. Whether it’s kissing when the clock strikes midnight or eating a particularly lucky food on the eve of the New Year, everyone looks forward to resetting the annual clock. Having a yearly renewal process is a cleansing and rejuvenating feeling – something everyone can appreciate. Whether your New Year’s Eve traditions include getting all decked out in your most sparkling attire or staying cozy at home with the ones you love, here’s a look at some beautiful New Year’s Eve traditions to uphold from families around the globe. Cheers!
Swap a small gift with your loved ones.
In ancient times, the start of the New Year was the perfect moment to share a gift (and what a fun tradition to bring back!). Small tokens of good fortune were exchanged – in Rome gilded nuts or golden coins were given, while in Persia friends and family exchanged eggs as a symbol of fertility. Starting a small, but meaningful gift exchange with your own family is a great idea for a tradition to love for years to come.
Cheers to good health and fortune.
Of course we all associate New Year’s Eve with the pop of the champagne cork, however the beverage of choice varies around the world. In England families celebrate with Wassail, a beverage that signifies good health in the year to come, while in Holland many make their New Year’s toast to a piping mug of spiced wine.
Eating Lucky Food
Of course eating special foods in celebration of the start of the New Year is a tradition upheld around the world. In the southern United States, black-eyed peas mean good fortune for the year to come. Ever heard of eating 12 grapes at midnight? This tradition was started and continued today throughout Spain. Believe it or not, the Swiss celebrate the start of the New Year by throwing dollops of whipped cream on the floor, while in Ireland a traditional New Year’s pastry called bannocks are consumed.
Make loads of noise!
In some neighborhoods, you’ll notice loads of kids running up and down the street at midnight banging pots and pans with wooden spoons and as it turns out it’s an ancient tradition. In many countries like Thailand and early American colonies, gunshots were fired at the stroke of midnight. Firecrackers, church bells, drums and sirens are all part of the global tradition to make noise at the start of the New Year.
Declaring Resolutions
Starting off the New Year on the right foot is a commitment everyone loves to uphold and announcing your resolutions is a great way to publically declare what you’re about to set your mind to. Going through the process of selecting one or two resolutions is also a great way to spend some time reflecting on the year past – the good, the challenging and the things you’d like to change.
What are your New Year’s Eve traditions?
