Comments on: 6 New Year Traditions from Around the World

By: maddie

maddie — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 21:34:00 +0000

My family does a puzzle, has the tv on a channel with a countdown and eats various cheeses. Its also become a tradition to make me laugh whenever I try to eat a cupcake at any family gathering.

By: GTT

GTT — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 17:20:00 +0000

In Venezuela and Peru I´ve heard of the following:
- 12 grapes
- running around the block with a suitcase for travel
- yellow underwear for good luck

This year we spent NYE in Playa del Carmen (Mexico) in a very small bar with a live musician where the tradition (apparently) was giving all the patrons shots of tequila. :)

By: HP

HP — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 20:19:00 +0000

I’ve consumed Hoppin’ John every New Year’s Day since I could chew solid food and I’ve never heard of including greens. The key ingredients are: rice, black eyed peas, ham, onion, and bacon fat (usually used to cook the onions and flavor the dish). Many people in the South also eat it with cornbread and greens on the side, but it is by no means a “must.”

By: KerriH

KerriH — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 05:49:00 +0000

For the past several years I have gotten a violent cold and laryngitis on New Years Eve. That was one tradition I was happy to break this year–Yay!

My family does the whole black eyed peas thing…although no one eats them, they just want them to be there on New Years Day. I know…us Southerners!

By: Rachel

Rachel — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 18:34:00 +0000

We have ano viejo men in Colombia too… but sometimes we stuff them with fireworks! Lots of fun!

By: Didi

Didi — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 10:03:00 +0000

‘Oliebollen’ is actually written as one word (I’m Dutch and I’m making my own every New Year’s eve) and the singular is ‘oliebol’. But they’re indeed VERY TASTY! Try making them once if you’re intrested. We’re also not eating them for breakfast usually… Mostly just around midnight.
I love this kind of articles so much, just checking what other cultures like to do at the same days…

By: Em

Em — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 06:45:00 +0000

aww, olie ballen. it means oil balls. hah. :)
i’m going to make some tomorrow; maybe one year i’ll actually get to have some in holland on new year’s eve.

By: VM

VM — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 01:27:00 +0000

I have developed an ABSURDLY detailed personal tradition for New Year’s Day. Certain elements can be altered as circumstances demand, but the one of First Foods of the New Year is fixed.
Three slices of baguette (cannot be sourdough) topped with, in strict order:
1. Sea-salt and extra-virgin olive oil (ideally Greek). Accompanied by bottled spring water (ideally Ty Nant, still) drunk from a stone cup. One bite, then one sip, for a total of three each.
2. Honey (usually clover) and butter (must be unsalted), drunk with pure cream from a wooden cup in like manner.
(This one’s been tricky lately, since it’s been harder and harder to find cream without agents and preservatives. Last couple of times I’ve gone with raw cream from a health food store, but can’t this year; I’m going to do this with my new hubby and his immunity is compromised from a bone marrow transplant. I’ll probably go with half-and-half — which I’ve always avoided in years past, but it does sound symbolic of the married state! Or alternately, substitute clotted cream for the butter and drink plain milk.)
3. Soft cheese spread (preferably French) and caviar, drunk with champagne from an engraved glass.
Afterward, hard cider from a drinking horn.
My mom broke a hip one New Year’s Eve and I stayed with her in the hospital. I didn’t take a drop of water or a bite of food after midnight until very late on New Year’s Day when I was allowed to take an hour to dash back home, eat and dash back.

By: Arianni

Arianni — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 23:20:00 +0000

I live on the border of Texas and Mexico and have enjoyed eating the 12 grapes. Its so funny seeing my older relatives stuffing their faces with grapes! We eat one on every chime but we are supposed to make a wish for each month.

Some people wear red underwear for love. Many people clean and organize their house so that you have a healthy and organized year.

Also, I’ve only just heard of this one, at the stroke of midnight you are supposed to get a small suitcase (like a duffel bag, a small carry-on bag, nothing huge) and run around your house, clockwise, 3 times to ensure you travel, or have good travels, this coming year.

By: Christopher Wink

Christopher Wink — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 22:18:00 +0000

I’ve never understood why the Philadelphia Mummer’s Day Parade – an older, cooler, more original celebration of New Year’s Day doesn’t get the attention it deserves.