There are many different traditions around New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day that are practiced around the world. Some are more fascinating than others, sometimes because we don’t really know how they started and sometimes because they are unlike anything we’ve seen before. Here are some of our favorite ones.
Spain’s 12 Grapes
Spaniards traditionally eat 12 grapes as the clock rings 12 times to announce the new year. In big cities, it’s common to see people in parties sharing grapes as well as bottles of cava (Spanish wine) as the clock strikes midnight.
Colombia’s Empty Suitcase Walk
Colombians who hope to travel more in the new year go around their blocks carrying empty suitcases. We especially like this tradition for the upcoming 2023 as we could all use a bit more traveling in the future!
Denmark’s Smashing Plates
There’s no New Year celebration in Denmark without some plate smashing. New Year’s Eve is celebrated by throwing some plates and glasses against the doors of friends and family in order to banish evil spirits – basically, for good luck. Does that mean they buy new plates every year?
