Ringing in the New Year is the perfect time to reflect on the past year and set intentions for the year ahead. Whether you’re celebrating at home with family and friends or ringing in the new year from somewhere far from home, consider adding some of these popular Latino traditions to ensure your year is filled with health, prosperity, and happiness.
Here are some fun and meaningful traditions celebrated across Latin America to kick-start the New Year:
Eating of Twelve Grapes
In many Latin American countries, such as Ecuador and Mexico, families gather at midnight and eat twelve grapes, one for each month of the year. Those who manage to finish all twelve grapes by the last chime of the old year are believed to secure good luck for the coming year.
Colorful Underwear
Pick your New Year’s underwear color with care! Tradition says that the color you wear as the clock strikes midnight can influence the year ahead. Red is thought to bring love, yellow to bring prosperity, and white to bring peace.
Sweeping Out the Door
This popular Mexican tradition invites good fortune for the New Year. On New Year’s Eve, people sweep toward the outside of the home, symbolically clearing out any negative vibes from the past year. Some even place coins outside the door and sweep them in to attract prosperity.
Crack an Egg
In El Salvador, some people crack an egg into a glass at midnight and leave it on the windowsill until morning. If the egg remains clear and intact, it’s seen as a sign of good fortune for the coming year; if not, it may signal some challenges ahead.
Grab Your Bag!
Many Ecuadorians believe that packing a suitcase and running around the block with it at midnight will bring a year full of adventures and travel opportunities!
Smashing Plates
In Oaxaca, buñuelos (a delicious dessert served with syrup) are enjoyed on New Year’s and served on ceramic plates. After finishing the treat, people smash the plate to symbolically break away from bad habits and start fresh.
Putting Money Inside Your Shoe
In Ecuador, placing money inside one of your shoes on New Year’s is believed to attract wealth and prosperity. The larger the bill, the better the luck!
Some of these traditions may seem whimsical, but they add joy and a sense of renewal to the start of a new year. Most importantly, they remind us to celebrate life, enjoy the company of loved ones, and look forward with hope and optimism. Here’s to a year filled with happiness, connection, and plenty of new adventures!
Happy New Year!
Images:
Dancing into the New Year by @bernardbodo from Getty Images Pro
Christmas travel suitcase with christmas tree decor by @Shintartanya from Getty Images
Midnight on New year’s eve in Spain eating twelve grapes by @Marta Ortiz from Getty Images Pro
