New Year’s Eve is a night brimming with traditions and superstitions, each meant to bring luck, love, or prosperity in the year ahead. Whilst I’m not superstitious, I think they’re thrilling! From champagne toasts to bizarre cultural practices, these customs have magical origins– it’s no wonder they cast the perfect spells for an exhilarating New Year’s Eve.
The Midnight Kiss
Perhaps the most iconic tradition is the midnight kiss. Originating in European folklore, the idea is that a kiss as the clock strikes twelve will cleanse the slate of bad luck and strengthen bonds for the coming year. In ancient times, masks and masquerades at New Year’s festivities were thought to ward off evil spirits, and a kiss symbolised the unmasking of goodwill. Today, it remains a romantic highlight of the night—and a charming way to start 1st January. Love is not only everywhere during Christmas!
Popping Champagne
No New Year’s Eve party is complete without champagne. This sparkling wine has been associated with luxury and celebration for centuries. French royalty popularised its use in the 18th century, and by the 19th century, champagne became a symbol of joyous occasions worldwide. The act of toasting champagne can also be traced to the medieval custom of sharing drinks as a sign of friendship and goodwill. History truly rhymes, and there’s no better way to start the New Year than with royalty and camaraderie.
Eating Grapes in Spain
In Spain, a unique and tasty superstition involves eating 12 grapes at the stroke of midnight, one for each chime of the clock. This tradition, known as las doce uvas de la suerte (the twelve grapes of luck), originated in the early 1900s when grape growers promoted it as a way to sell surplus harvests. The custom is thought to bring a year of good fortune, and many indulge in this tradition in hopes of a partner, but beware—you have to finish all 12 grapes before the last bell tolls! As a Filipino, I’ve seen my friends attempt this tradition with the utmost determination, yet they’re still as single as ever. Nonetheless, it is quite the entertainment to witness them racing hilariously to swallow the grapes in time. Perhaps the real luck is simply not choking on them.
Wearing Red Underwear in Italy
In Italy, wearing red underwear on New Year’s Eve is a beloved tradition. Red symbolises love, fertility, and good fortune, and the practice dates back to the Ancient Roman times when people wore red garments during celebrations to ward off evil spirits. And in the Middle Ages, when the plague ran rampant, red undies were sworn to cure illness. Many Italians pair this custom with a hearty meal of lentils, which are believed to bring wealth due to their coin-like shape. If you can’t scare off evil spirits with your fashion choices, you might as well bribe fortune with lentils!
Jumping Waves in Brazil
For Brazilians, New Year’s Eve often involves a breezy beachside ritual: jumping over seven ondas (waves) while making a wish for each. This tradition honours Iemanjá, the Afro-Brazilian goddess of the sea, and is believed to wash away bad energy while inviting prosperity and protection. What a fresh way to surf into the New Year!
Do They Work?
As for whether these traditions work, that’s up to you! My friends’ grape-eating attempts haven’t yielded much. Still, the laughter and excitement of these rituals make them worthwhile. Ultimately, these superstitions connect us to shared hopes and joy, making them worth celebrating.
From country to country, New Year’s Eve is a constellation of rituals designed to welcome fresh starts. So whether you’re toasting with champagne, rocking lucky underwear, or jumping waves, here’s to a year filled with happiness and success!
Words by Nina Fatima Mercado