​Discover the Main New Year's Eve Traditions

The twelve lucky grapes, wearing red underwear, toasting with something gold inside the glass... New Year's Eve is a symbol of change, of endless possibilities, and the arrival of a new year representing fresh and promising beginnings. For this reason, New Year's Eve traditions are widespread in every corner of the world.

The aim is to seek luck and prosperity through small acts that vary by region but share a common purpose: to celebrate the incoming year and ensure it is much better than the one departing.

Lesser-Known New Year's Eve Traditions

In addition to the mentioned customs, it's essential to lift the right foot during the last chime and step firmly to ensure entering the new year correctly. Families exchange kisses and hugs, and, more so in the past, the television captures attention to discover the first advertisement of the year.

However, there are other, slightly lesser-known New Year's Eve traditions that are equally intriguing.

• -In some southern regions of the peninsula, it is a tradition to burn rosemary on the last night of the year. This aromatic plant symbolizes good fortune and helps balance energies in a home. When burned at specific times of the year, it is believed to attract positivity.
• -Also related to energies, in many areas of Spain, particularly those not excessively cold, windows are left open on New Year's Eve to purify the family environment and eliminate any negative vibrations that may have accumulated during the year.
• -In northern Spain, it is common to use an egg white to try to predict the future. It's easier than it sounds: just leave an egg white on the windowsill during the night of December 31st. The next day, interpreted correctly, drawings will have formed, containing predictions for the newly started year.
• -To start the year with good luck, one must eat lentils, a tradition also celebrated in Italy. Its origin dates to Ancient Rome when families and friends exchanged small bags of lentils with the hope that they would turn into gold. Beyond the symbolism of this transformation, there is nothing more nutritious and protein-packed than a hearty plate of lentils on January 1st.
• -Clothing is important, but underwear even more so. The upcoming year is a leap year, so experts in these matters suggest not wearing red underwear but pink to attract love and passion. However, for those who already have enough love and passion, yellow clothing is an option to attract wealth and happiness.
• Moreover, to strengthen family ties, in many places, it is important to exchange garments on New Year's Eve—obviously, not the ones worn underneath—right as the new year begins.
• -The last ritual we want to discuss today is to eliminate all the bad that has happened during the year. This is also practiced on the night of San Juan, alongside bonfires. It involves writing down on paper everything that has not gone well over the past 12 months and burning it just before the year ends. Then, the ashes are taken to the window for the wind to carry away sorrows, starting the year with a renewed spirit.

What other traditions do you know? In Mallorca, Christmas is full of them. You can have a look at them in this entry.