The new year has begun and many of us will have had some amazing celebrations to bring it in! New Year’s Eve usually comes with celebrations that can look different depending on culture and traditions. Of course, there’s the usual resolutions that many take part in, but have you ever spent the last day of the year doing something outside of what you consider “the norm?” Well, if you haven’t, take a look into five New Year’s Eve traditions across the world.

Eating grapes at midnight

This tradition blew up on TikTok a few years ago, but do you know the history behind it? Eating grapes at midnight is a tradition that derives from Spain and is celebrated nationwide, as well as in regions which embrace Spanish culture such as Mexico, Colombia, and more. The belief is that you eat 12 grapes as the bell chimes at midnight and each grape eaten with the stroke of the clock represents good luck. Having a stepmother from Cuba, I’ve taken part in this tradition previously.

“Each grape represents each month of the year,” my stepmother always told me. “With every grape you wish something for the new year.”

First footing

First footing is a tradition born from Scottish descent and shared across the United Kingdom. This is when the first person that comes home after midnight (“the first footer”) is said to bring the luck of the year upon the household members, whether that was good or bad luck. The tradition houses many rules which is what makes it so quirky, especially the rules about who the first footer can be. Sticking to its history, the first footer should be a male with dark hair and brings gifts to the household.

Smashing pomegranates

A very Greek way to ring in the new year is by smashing pomegranates. The Greek culture includes smashing plates at various celebrations such as weddings and New Year’s Day. However, the smashing of the pomegranates is well recognized as a New Year’s Day (or what they call St. Basil’s Day) tradition. The belief is to smash the pomegranates at the entrance of their households. This practice is done with a ripe pomegranate and symbolizes the release of the previous year. The pomegranate is believed to bring abundance, good luck and fertility.

Red underwear

A tradition shared across the Italian region, and which was also made light of on social media platforms such as TikTok recently, is the belief to wear red underwear at midnight. The Italians believe that having red underwear on at midnight can bring good luck and positivity to their lives. This cultural tradition can be fun and quirky. Some even go out and buy new red underwear for the night!

Jumping off chairs

At midnight, those in Denmark believe that jumping off chairs symbolizes taking a leap into the new year. This practice, done while playing the Denmark song “We Are Those Who Dare to Dream,” is believed to release good luck to the new year and let go of past negative fortune.

These five New Year’s Eve traditions can be fun to incorporate even if you aren’t located in the above regions. As I mentioned, eating grapes at midnight was a practice I did in Barbados surrounded by many who had never heard of the tradition. Use this year to educate yourself on new beliefs and traditions while finding ways to embody them into your life.