My Favorite New Year’s Traditions from Around the World I’d Totally Adopt Here

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As the clock strikes midnight, people around the world embrace unique traditions to welcome the New Year. The arrival of a new year is more than just a moment on the clock—it’s a symbol of hope, renewal, and the opportunity to start fresh. From quirky rituals to deeply rooted customs, every culture has its own way of bidding farewell to the past and ushering in the future. These traditions not only highlight the diverse ways we celebrate but also serve as reminders of the shared human desire for connection, luck, and prosperity in the year ahead. This year, I’m thinking about how these worldwide New Year’s Traditions can bring new ideas into my life.

Table of Contents

• New Year’s Traditions Around the World
• Eating 12 Grapes at Midnight – Spain
• Smashing Plates – Denmark
• Wearing Red Underwear – Italy
• Jumping Waves – Brazil
• First-Footing – Scotland
• Carrying an Empty Suitcase – Colombia
• Baking a Coin into a Cake – Greece
• Burning Effigies – Ecuador
• Casting Lead – Germany
• Ringing Bells – South Korea
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Eating 12 Grapes at Midnight – Spain

In Spain, eating one grape for every chime of the clock at midnight is customary. Each grape represents good luck for one month of the year. Known as “Las doce uvas de la suerte,” this tradition began in the late 19th century as a clever way for farmers to sell their surplus grapes. Today, it’s a beloved practice that symbolizes hope and prosperity for the coming year.

Smashing Plates – Denmark

Danes ring in the New Year by smashing plates against their friends’ doors. It’s said to bring good luck and strengthen friendships. This tradition may have historically symbolized leaving behind the old year’s problems. Today, it’s a fun and boisterous way to show affection and celebrate the promise of a fresh start.

Wearing Red Underwear – Italy

In Italy, wearing red underwear is believed to bring love and prosperity in the New Year. This tradition has roots in ancient Roman times, where red symbolized health, fertility, and protection. Today, it’s a playful and lighthearted way to start the year with optimism and good fortune.

Jumping Waves – Brazil

In Brazil, people head to the beach to jump over seven waves, making a wish for each one. This tradition is deeply connected to the Afro-Brazilian religion of Candomblé, which honors the sea goddess Yemanjá. It’s a beautiful blend of spirituality and celebration, symbolizing renewal and blessings for the year ahead.

First-Footing – Scotland

Scotland’s Hogmanay tradition of “first-footing” involves being the first person to enter a friend’s house in the New Year, bringing gifts like coal, whiskey, or shortbread. Thought to date back to Viking times, this custom symbolizes bringing warmth, sustenance, and cheer to the host’s home.

Carrying an Empty Suitcase – Colombia

In Colombia, carrying an empty suitcase around the block at midnight is said to bring a year full of travel. This whimsical tradition reflects the Colombian spirit of adventure and wanderlust, inviting new journeys and experiences into one’s life.

Baking a Coin into a Cake – Greece

Be warned this is one if those New Year’s Traditions that end at the dentist. The Greek tradition of baking a coin into a New Year’s cake, known as “vasilopita,” honors Saint Basil, who is celebrated on January 1. The person who finds the coin is said to have good fortune for the year. It’s a delicious blend of faith and festivity that brings families together.

Burning Effigies – Ecuador

I’ve never had the pleasure. But apparently Ecuadorians create effigies, or “años viejos,” representing the old year and burn them at midnight to cleanse away bad energy. Often made from paper and old clothes, these effigies sometimes depict public figures or personal grievances, making the act both symbolic and cathartic.

Casting Lead – Germany

In Germany, people pour molten lead into cold water to interpret shapes and predict the year ahead. Known as “Bleigießen,” this is a New Year’s Traditions that dates back to ancient times and is similar to other fortune-telling traditions. While modern versions use wax for safety, the tradition remains a cherished New Year’s activity.

Ringing of the Bells – South Korea

This New Year, my heart drifts back to South Korea, where Steven and I once stood shoulder to shoulder with a sea of people, united in celebration. The deep, rhythmic ringing of the Bosingak bell reverberated through the crisp night air, each of its 33 chimes symbolizing the cleansing of the past and the promise of renewal. Rooted in Buddhist teachings, this tradition offered a profound reminder of clarity and new beginnings. Yet, the solemn beauty of the chimes intertwined seamlessly with the vibrant energy around us. Music filled the streets, the countdown echoed in unison, and as midnight arrived, balloons floated skyward while millions of pieces of confetti rained down, glittering like stars. It was a night where reflection and joy collided in a way I’ll always treasure.

This year, back in America, our celebration will take on a quieter tone. Steven and I will raise a glass of champagne on the rooftop of The Current in downtown Davenport, Iowa. From this serene vantage point, overlooking the dramatic sweep of the Mississippi River, we’ll welcome the New Year under a canopy of stars and city lights, cherishing the intimacy of shared dreams.

Each New Year’s Traditions carries its own meaning, shaped by the traditions and memories we carry with us. Whether surrounded by the vibrant energy of a crowd or the quiet stillness of a shared moment, we all find ways to honor hope and renewal. How will you greet the coming year? Through reflection, celebration, or something uniquely your own?

Final Thoughts

I made it back to my hotel room by 1 a.m., which suits me just fine. As I write this, champagne flute in hand. Please excuse any typos! What about you? How did you celebrate the New Year? Share your stories in the comments—I’d love to hear them.

I want to express my heartfelt thanks for your incredible support throughout 2024. It was the most successful year in Duffelbagspouse Travels history, and I couldn’t have done it without you! Here’s to even more travel and unforgettable adventures in 2025.

Wishing you all a joyful and prosperous New Year! Cheers! 🥂

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