Iran Press/ Europe: These are some of the best traditions in the New Year.
Spain
Traditionally you swallow 12 grapes within the first minute of the New Year. Every grape signifies a goal or intention you have for the New Year. If you need inspiration just think along the lines of: health, travel, love, peace, etc to name a few. Let us know what your 12 grapes would be.
Ecuador
In Ecuador, they celebrate the changing of the year by burning scarecrows. Lets just hope the one from the Wizard of Oz has found his brains before they begin picking them off. To ensure good fortune they burn the scarecrows at the stroke of midnight. And not to be outdone, they also burn photographs ( all for good fortune, of course).
Denmark
In Denmark, they celebrate midnight by breaking unused plates. The Danish don’t just smash plates anywhere. They’re supposed to shatter them against the doorways of your friends and family with affection and well wishes for their New Year.
Chile
Chileans celebrate the New Year by sleeping in the cemetery with their ancestors. No offense to our Chilean readers but here at the office we think we’ll issue a HARD PASS on a night in the cemetery, on whats considered (mythically) a thin day between the living and the dead.
South America
Many South American countries hold the tradition of choosing their underwear color carefully on New Year’s Eve. You see the different colors mean different things for the incoming year. Red underwear means you’ll find love, white is for Peace, and gold is for wealth.
Japan
In the Buddhist religion ringing a bell 108 times brings you alignment and cleanliness. They also believe in ringing in the New Year with a smile, as it brings luck to you.
Puerto Rico
In some part of Puerto Rico they believe in throwing water out of their windows as the clock strikes midnight to drive away spirits.
Bolivia
This is a tradition we could totally get behind. In Bolivia they bake coins into desserts and sweet treats. Whoever finds the coin or coins are destined for good luck in the New Year.
France
The French have it made. They consume a stack of pancakes at midnight. Sounds easy AND delicious. We are in.
Colombia
Forget a one minute activity at the strike of midnight. Colombians spend all of New Year’s Eve walking around with their suitcases for good travels in the New Year.
Siberia
It’s FREEZING we get it, so we weren’t exactly surprised to find out their population jumps into frozen lakes, while carrying a tree trunk. Is THIS where we get the ‘Polar Bear’ plunge idea from? Hard Pass. But if that’s your kind of thing, send pics. No really, tag us we want to see.
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