We make it a mission to keep New Year’s Eve SIMPLE, but fun. In order to help you have a fun time.. without too much effort, I have put a number of posts together for you. We have 30 New Year’s Eve Crafts (great for decor ideas and keeping kids busy) plus a great video and links to more New Year’s Eve Ideas. Then of course, you can browse these New Year’s Eve traditions – read about them. Pick one and have fun! A great way to explore the other countries and cultures!
New Year’s Eve Traditions – be inspired to create your OWN Family Traditions for New Year’s Eve!
Nothing quite like a good celebration to see in the New Year! What we love even more, is creating our OWN family traditions.. taking an inspiration here and and inspiration there. Above all making New Year’s Eve fun. After the big run up to Christmas, however, we do like to keep things simple and relax a little. So take a peak at these New Year’s Eve Traditions from around the world and maybe see if you can pick one or two of them to do with your family!
We love these Countdown Clocks (free printable!!), why not download them and add a tradition from around the world to each segment? Or check out our Countdown Activities too – you will find some fun things for EVERYONE!
New Year’s Eve traditions from around the world:
Here is a quick summary from a set of articles written about each tradition. Do click on the highlighted links if you want to find out more. But in the meantime.. the summaries are all here in one place for you to browse and enjoy!
The tradition is called the first footer and this entailed me walking around to the front door with a piece of coal and a £20 note of which I was never allowed to keep. Knocking/ringing the bell and then them letting me back into the warmth being the first person (footer) to enter the house in the new year and bringing my gifts for the household!
I have done some research on this to be able to explain a little further and found that the ‘gifts’ the first footer can bring vary and all have different meanings. These gifts include a coin, bread, salt, coal, or a drink (usually whisky – but I think that is because it originates from Scotland) and the reason behind them is that each item represents something within life for example financial prosperity, food, flavour, warmth, and good cheer.
In Spain, everyone gets a bowl or skewer of 12 grapes just before midnight. On each stroke of the midnight clock you eat one grape. 1 for the first stroke, your second on the second stroke etc. If you manage all 12 you will have a lucky year.
It sounds easy enough… but I remember looking like a hamster with grape filled cheeks and an a juice soak party frock after this activity!
**NOTE** as we all know grapes can be a choking hazard especially for young children. if in doubt, please cut your grapes in half lengthwise.
Right before the midnight we had a special tradition of wish-making: everyone had a piece of paper and a pencil/pen and a glass filled with a drink and candles lighted. When the last countdown would start on TV, we had to quickly write our wish, burn the paper and drink the ashes together with our drink. Needless to say the whole glass of drink had to be finished! It was a real competition and I remember how I was so disappointed a few times that I didn’t make it on time. When we grew older we would give it another try: Russia has 8 time zones, so after we had our midnight, we could “meet the New Year” once again an hour or 2 later!
Without a doubt, my favourite meal that he has introduced me to is Hoppin’ John – a dish of black eyed peas and ham – which is served on New Year’s Day to bring a lucky and prosperous year. The beans in the dish are symbolic of pennies, and sometimes a coin will be added to the pot, or popped under the bowls on the table. In some families, diners are encouraged to leave three of the beans uneaten on the plate for additional good luck. {You MUST read this post by Stacy and her variation on this tradition. Sure made me giggle!}
Marzipan Good Luck Piggies – Germany/ Austria
There are lots of theories about why pigs are a symbol of good luck, ranging from pigs being able to feed your family, to boars being the centre of a bulls eye, to losers being awarded a piglet as a consolation prize in the middle ages.
For New Years, many Germans give gifts of small marzipan pigs to their friends and family. Sometimes adorned with a four leave clover, sometimes a horse shoe other times a toadstool.
Every Italian from the north to the south of the Boot will be making sure they have some red underwear to wear on the 31st December to welcome the new year in and hence shower themselves in good luck and I thought it would be a very good idea to pass this nugget of information on so YOU too could join in, after all, if they are doing it and they are renowned world over for their impeccable taste and incredible sense of Made in Italy fashion then what’s to stop us taking a leaf out of their book and joining in?
A tradition (apparently) dating back to medieval times and used by the men who would use a red drape over their groin to protect their precious ‘family jewels‘ from the witches who at the turn of midnight were out on the village streets looking to cast spells and make trouble/have fun.
The colour red is a lucky colour which brings allegria and consequently good fortune. It keeps negative energy away and calls on the protective presence of the Archangel Michael – make what you want of that bit I found it on the internet!
To give the gift of red underwear is to wish great fortune on the receiver and a rich and satisfying year ahead.
Sparklers & Frankfurters – Hungary
It is all about food and sparkles. In Hungary, New Year’s Eve (called Szilveszter in Hungarian), is often celebrated with a large dinner of pork and stuffed cabbage for good luck. At midnight, it’s customary to kiss your family and friends on both cheeks (the typical Hungarian greeting) for good luck throughout the year.
And don’t be surprised if frankfurter sausages and roast pig start getting served shortly after midnight, even after the big meal you just ate a couple of hours before! More info here.
On New Year’s Eve many Brazilians will dress in white – to bring good luck and peace for the year. And then after midnight (and watching lots fireworks) they will head to the beach, to jump over 7 waves, whilst throwing flowers into the sea and making a wish. Some will also light candles and bury them in the sand. It is believed that the goddess of the sea will make their wishes come true. [Source]
Living in chilly England, I think that may be we will NOT be doing this one.. but for those of you on the Southern Hemisphere…maybe you fancy a dip in the see this New Year’s Eve? It certainly would be a refreshing start to your New Year and maybe would be a fun New Year’s Eve Tradition for your family!
Bleigiessen – Austria/ Germany
Bleigießen translates to lead pouring, and it’s a way to read your fortune for the new year. Aside from having one of us grand kids go buy foods for the buffet, Großmutti would set another one of us, usually my brother or step-dad, onto finding lead pieces and an old spoon. I’ve noticed that in Germany or Austria you can buy Bleigießen kits which include cute little lead figures, but we’ve always used fishing weights.
We gather around the table with a candle and a bowl of water. One of the grown-ups holds a spoon with the lead weight over the flame and lets the lead melt. Once it’s liquid you pour it into the cold water. It immediately freezes into a new shape – your fortune for the coming year!
Puerto Rico
In Puerto Rico New Year’s Celebrations, include running around the outside of the house with a bunch of luggage, in order to guarantee some holidays in the new year!
The Chinese New Year holds many special traditions. One of those is the red envelope. Unlike our Christmas where we exchange various gifts, the Chinese give money. You don’t see people flocking to the stores for their Chinese New Year shopping… only to purchase a new outfit. New clothing is always worn for Chinese New Year as an important symbol for starting anew. Even the children are given gifts of money in the Chinese New Year rather than toys. This money is ALWAYS given in a red envelope with gold lettering.
Learn how to make your own Red Money Envelopes here!
And as our New Year’s Eve Traditions from around the world draw to a close.. about making your very own and very special Family Traditions? Today, Super Amazing Mum shares her family’s very own tradition and I reckon there are a thing or three we might start doing ourselves!!!
If you are doing the “big countdown” with the kids and are looking at some crafts to do with them, check out these 30 New Year’s Eve Crafts! And even more New Year’s Eve Ideas here!
Then check out our fabulous New Year’s Eve Countdown Activities for kids – including lots of free printables!
All set? What will you be doing for New Year’s Eve? After making our marzipan pigs for friends and family, I am likely to have a lovely warm drink and snuggled on the sofa…. phew 2013 has been BUSY!!!!!
Charlene says
Love it
Ali says
I will be adopting the red knicker tradition…. although far from Italian, I’m liking this one!
Daniela says
Love this idea! Would love to have you link up at Link’n Blogs link party. 🙂
http://iputabirdonit.blogspot.com/2013/12/linkn-blogs-4.html?m=1
xo
Daniela
Put A Bird On It
HB says
Love it! I only wish their was a printable version with a little quiz sheet to give 🙂 Thank you for all your great work!
Red Ted Art says
OH that is a great idea for updating it for next week!