12. Have a bonfire. | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

12 Ways New Year's Eve Is Celebrated Around The World, In Case You Don't Have Someone To Kiss At Midnight

Every culture recognizes the value of starting fresh. A "new beginning of possibilities" mindset is often a healthy motivation for hope and progress.

65
12 Ways New Year's Eve Is Celebrated Around The World, In Case You Don't Have Someone To Kiss At Midnight
@worldttravelerr Instagram

In the U.S.A., we have a tradition of toasting champagne or pecking your partner as the clock strikes midnight. But this practice is not an option for everyone, so here are some other options to ring in the new year.

1. Munch on 12 grapes.

Giphy

To Spaniards, you can eat twelve grape in order to give your next twelve months luck and prosperity.

2. Take a stroll with an empty suitcase. 

Giphy

I would recommend this one if you have a real travel-bug! In a few South American nations like Paraguay, Chile, and Colombia, walking around with a suitcase means you will have a year chock-full of travel and adventures ahead.

3. Throw your plates against the wall.

Giphy

In Denmark, this seemingly violent tradition brings a good energy for luck for funky friendships in the next 365 days.

4. Fling a big bucket of water out of your window. 

Giphy

Traditionally, Puerto Ricans will cleanse the home of negative energy by throwing buckets of water out the window to wash away the terrible juju or regrets of the last year.

5. Or, you can throw old furniture out the window.

Giphy

In some parts of South Africa, people will actually yeet their fridges or chairs out of tall buildings to expel bad luck and start their new year brightly.

6. Slurp some lentil soup.

Giphy

For Brazilians, Lentils represent the alimentos do dia, designed to help with money troubles.

7. Gorge yourself like Estonians.

Giphy

Have your own mukbang on NYE if you buy into the legend that dictates that the holiday should be celebrated with a lucky number of meals, with either seven, nine, or twelve plates. However many meals you choose, you're said to have the tenacity of that many people.

8. Slip on some red underwear. 

Giphy

According to Italians, this will bring you luck in your search for love.

9. Watch fireworks and give cash to kids.

Giphy

The firework was invented in China, so people in this country love to celebrate this holiday with a dazzling display of pyrotechnics while parents give their cute children allowance in red envelopes for financial luck of the entire family.

10. Flick the lights off. 

Giphy

In Greece, families begin the big countdown and turn off the lights so that they can start the new year with clear eyes and full hearts (so they can't lose).

11. Resolve conflicts with your pals. 

Giphy

In Japan, you cannot (in good conscience) start a new year with emotional baggage piled up from the last twelve months of your dramatic life. Buddhists especially emphasize this mindfulness, so they can start the new year with a clean slate.

12. Have a bonfire. 

Giphy

In Scotland, many folks burn away the bad decisions of the past year so their new selves can metaphorically rise from the ashes.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Lifestyle

Moana's Top 10 Life Tips

"Moana" is filled with life lessons that involve far more than finding true love as many other Disney movies do.

36462
Animated image of a woman with long dark hair and tattoos
StableDiffusion

1. It's easy to be fooled by shiny things.

Digital image of shiny gemstones in cased in gold. shiny things StableDiffusion

Tamatoa created a liar filled with shiny things simply for the purpose of tricking fish to enter and become his food. He too experiences a lesson in how easy it is to be tricked by shiny things when Moana distracts him by covering herself in glowing algae so Maui can grab his hook.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

7 Types Of Students You Will Meet In College

You wish you could be #5, but you know you're probably a #6.

17139
cool group of lazy college students in class
StableDiffusion

There are thousands of universities around the world, and each school boasts its own traditions and slogans. Some schools pride themselves on sports, while others emphasize their research facilities. While there is a myriad of differences among each and every school, there will always these seven types of students in class.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

15 Rhyme Without Reason Greek Life Function Ideas

When you have no ideas for what to wear to this date function

318336
A dog and a frog
Healthy Pets

I am going to a rhyme without reason date function and I have looked at so many different rhyming words and I figured there need to be a new list of words. At these functions, there are usually at least two rockers and boxers and an umpteenth amount of dogs and frogs. I have come up with a list of creative and unique ideas for these functions.

If you like what you see, get a shopping cart going with these costumes.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

Yoga love

A long over due thank you note to my greatest passion.

30800
A person in a yoga pose surrounded by a supportive community of fellow yogis with a look of peace and gratitude on their face the image should convey the sense of strength mindfulness and appreciation that the writer feels towards yoga
StableDiffusion

Dearest Yoga,

You deserve a great thank you.

Keep Reading...Show less
Arts Entertainment

Epic Creation Myths: Norse Origins Unveiled

What happened in the beginning, and how the heavens were set in motion.

10913
The Norse Creation Myth

Now, I have the everlasting joy of explaining the Norse creation myth. To be honest, it can be a bit kooky, so talking about it is always fun. The entire cosmos is included in this creation myth, not just the earth but the sun and the moon as well. This will be a short retelling, a summary of the creation myth, somewhat like I did with Hermod's ride to Hel.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments