New years is a time for growth, a time where a new year starts and you become a new you! You make promises to keep, so you can get better and improve the things that you did not like last year. It is kinda like restarting and finding a new you, and the way you’re going to act, speak, or do whatever you want. It’s a time to grow into a new year filled with improvements and joy.
All around the world people make New Year’s resolutions. What are New Year’s resolutions? Well New Year’s resolutions are promises for the new year. They show you want to grow and improve certain things. One example of a typical resolution is “I want to get better grades and get straight As”. This shows in the new year you want to try harder to get that A. It shows determination!
It’s not only the resolutions that are important though, there are so many traditions different places have that shape the way they think their New Year will go. On New Years day different areas of land perform different traditions or routines that they hope will give them luck for the New Year!
Some traditions from different areas include:
- Food and Drink:
Spain: Eat 12 grapes under a table at midnight (Las Uvas de la Suerte)
Italy: Eat a spoonful of lentils each time the clock chimes before midnight for wealth
Netherlands: Enjoy and eat oliebollen (a type of doughnut)
Southern U.S. : Eat black-eyed peas and collard greens for money and luck
- Actions and traditions:
Denmark: Smash old plates on doors for good luck and friendship.
Ireland: Bang pots and pans at midnight to scare away bad spirits.
Japan: Temple bells ring 108 times to cleanse sins, and people visit shrines for the first sunrise (Hatsuhinode).
Brazil: Jump over seven waves at the beach for good fortune and offer gifts to the sea goddess Iemanjá.
Colombia: Walk around the block with an empty suitcase for future travels.
- Attire & Appearance
Brazil: Wear white to symbolize peace and new beginnings
Mexico/Latin America: Wear specific colored underwear for different wishes (e.g., red for love, yellow for money)
- Noise & Light
Worldwide: Fireworks, church bells, and gunshots are common to ward off evil and sin
- Cleansing & Renewal
Japan: The Joya no Kane bell ringing.
Mexico/Latin America: Cleaning the house thoroughly.
All these traditions show ways people try to get good luck for the New year. Different places have different traditions showing what they believe is considered lucky and a sign of happiness! Everyone has a different tradition to hope for a great year, so what is your tradition? Think about what you do on New Years and what you hope for, for this new year we are in! Happy New Year!!!
