This was published 3 years ago
New Year's Eve traditions around the world: Six to try at home this year
By Natalie B. Compton
In Ecuador and other parts of Central, South America, and Europe, New Year's Eve heats up when midnight strikes. Credit: Sviatlana Lazarenka
In years past, many people would travel over New Year's Eve and immerse themselves in a different culture. Countries around the world ring in the new year with unique customs and traditions, often carried out at the stroke of midnight. But that option is off the table this year, thanks to 2020's gloom.
To celebrate the spirit of travel from home, try bringing international New Year's Eve experiences to you.
Japan: Eat toshikoshi soba
Credit: Alamy
Shiwasu is the end-of-the-year period in Japan, filled by many traditions such as travelling to see family, attending parties and thoroughly cleaning your home. To commemorate New Year's Eve, people eat toshikoshi soba, or "year-crossing" soba, which can symbolise having a long and fortunate life along with a clean break from the year. And if there's a year we need a clean break from, it's 2020.
Denmark: Jump off a chair
In Denmark, one does not simply let the new year happen. You go on the offence and jump into it. Just before midnight, stop what you're doing and get on a chair to execute the jump like a Dane would.
Should you forget to jump, it's said that you'll bring bad luck for the following year, so please - do not forget to jump.
Spain: Eat 12 grapes
Perhaps the easiest tradition to carry out is eating grapes for good luck. The tradition began in Spain, but it is now practiced around the world, particularly in Central and South America.
Here's how to do it yourself: Have 12 grapes, known as las doce uvas de la suerte, handy. When the clock starts chiming at midnight, eat one with each clang.
Bonus points if you're wearing special New Year's Eve underwear while eating your grapes. A pair of red underwear can bring you a new year of love while yellow may bring joy and fortune.
Costa Rica: Run your suitcase around the block
Put your 2021 travel ambitions into the universe by celebrating the new year like a Costa Rican. (The tradition is popular across Latin America.) At midnight, it's tradition to grab a suitcase and run around the block in the hopes of travelling in the new year.
"The farther we run with our suitcases, my family always says, the farther we'll travel in the new year," writes Washington Post reporter, Samantha Schmidt, who has spent New Year's Eve with her extended family in Costa Rica every year since she was born. "We all do it - from my toddler cousins to my eldest aunts in their high heels. Our neighbors always cheer us on, shouting 'Feliz A??o Nuevo!' and sometimes join in, as fireworks shoot off in all directions."
Ecuador: Burn effigies
Credit: iStock
In Ecuador and other parts of Central and South America, New Year's Eve heats up when midnight strikes. People head outside to burn effigies that symbolise the year. By lighting the effigy on fire, you're letting the bad of the year go and moving onto the next.
Just remember that there are obvious risks to lighting something on fire. If you live somewhere with a high risk of wildfires, for example, consider this next tradition instead . . .
Russia: Burn, then drink, your wishes
After a year of ruined dreams and cancelled plans, set your sights on a fresh start with this Russian tradition. Before midnight, write down your wishes for 2021 on a piece of paper, then light the paper on fire. Once it's stopped burning, sprinkle the wish-filled ashes into a glass of Champagne and drink up after the clock strikes midnight.
The Washington Post
See also: Good riddance: Seven things in travel that won't be coming back
See also: Eight ways to bring the horrors of travel to your own home
Sign up for the Traveller newsletter
The latest travel news, tips and inspiration delivered to your inbox. Sign up now.