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| Happy New Year! [Brisbane Australia] |
Spain – eat 12 grapes, one at each chime of the clock at midnight
Colombia – carry empty suitcases around the block
Ecuador – burn scarecrows
Puerto Rico – dump a bucket of water out the window, sprinkle sugar outside the house
Denmark – throw old plates and glasses against the doors of family and friends, stand on a chair and “jump” into the new year
Finland – cast molten tin into water and then interpret the resulting shapes
Panama – burn effigies of well-known people
Scotland – parade while swinging giant fireballs on poles
Philippines – display round items, eat round fruits, wear polka dots
Brazil – wear underwear of a specific color [red for love, yellow for prosperity, white for peace, etc]
Greece – hang an onion at your door
Russia – jump into frozen lakes carrying tree trunks; write wishes for the new year on a paper, burn the paper, put the ashes into champagne and drink
Switzerland – drop ice cream on the floor
Romania – throw coins into the river
France – eat a stack of pancakes
Thailand – smear people with gray talc, throw water on people
Chile – sleep at the cemetery with deceased loved ones
Ireland – bang loaves of bread on the walls
South Africa – throw furniture out the window
Estonia – eat seven times on new year's day
Australia – fireworks
Some US traditions:
Make resolutions
Decorate a New Year tree
Toss tinsel or confetti
Make noise, light fireworks
Sing “Auld Lang Syne” or other songs
Give gifts
Send thank-you notes
Count down and kiss at midnight
Eat “new year” foods
Wear clothes commemorating your heritage
Toast with champagne or other drink
Pray
Go to bed early [okay this one is just me]
How do you celebrate your new year? Tell us in the comments.
