When it comes to celebrating the new year, each country and culture has its own, special traditions. Some of these closely mirror our own while others seem delightfully quirky. Read below about some of these traditions, and maybe consider adopting a few as your own.

Russia

One custom observed in Russia is to write your biggest wish for the coming year on a piece of paper before burning it. You then place the ashes in a glass and pour champagne on top, drinking it down right before midnight to ensure it will come true.

 

Philippines

Here, many different customs are observed around the new year thanks to the many different cultures that have influenced this group of islands. However, one of their more interesting traditions is to open all the doors and windows in the home on New Year’s Eve to allow negative energy to flow out of the home while positive energy enters.

 

Spain

In Spain, and in many of its former territories, it is tradition to consume 12 grapes for each of the 12 chimes of the clock as it strikes midnight. This is meant to bring good fortune to each of the 12 months of the coming year.

Denmark

In Denmark, their tradition is to place broken dishes in front of the entrance to their friends’ homes. They save dishes throughout the year just for this purpose. This is done to show brotherhood amongst citizens and love to their friends.

 

Ecuador

Ecuadorians celebrate the new year by burning scarecrows. They build these scarecrows from cloth and paper, and then set them alight in fields at midnight. They also burn photographs from the previous year. This is meant to bring them good fortune in the coming year.

 

Mexico

In Mexico, citizens wear colored underwear symbolizing the area of their life they wish to have blessed in the coming year. Red underwear brings love, green and gold bring money, and white brings peace

What is your New Year’s Eve Tradition?