New Year, Old Traditions

New Year’s Eve is a festive time all around the world, with humans celebrating the complete revolution of the Earth around the Sun, a phenomenon they had no hand in but one that definitely serves as an excuse for a holiday from work and school. One of the most common traditions is the making of resolutions, as the fervour and intensity of the countdown builds hope and belief in ourselves. But unknown to most people, different parts of the world follow many unusual traditions on New Year’s Eve, each having some contribution to creating a prosperous new year. 

Now mind you, some of these involve talking to cows and stuffing your face but they all have good intentions and isn’t that what matters?

Spain

People in Spain eat one grape every second for the last twelve seconds of the year and if you manage to finish all twelve in time, you’re ensured a fun-filled and amazing new year. But this struggle for future prosperity kind of makes the midnight kiss a little difficult, doesn’t it?

Switzerland

These guys celebrate the New Year by dropping ice cream on the floor. Well, I’m never going to spend New Year’s Eve in Switzerland.

P.S. Just kidding, please don’t stop giving us chocolate and cheese.

Denmark

I’m not saying that this is weird but they have a very violent way of showing affection, namely smashing all unused plates against the doors of their family, friends and neighbours. What if they land on shards while ‘jumping into’ January? It’s love thy neighbour Denmark, not wreck thy neighbour.

Belgium

Belgians believe that no one should be left out of the celebrations, not even animals. Which is why they wish their cows and other farm animals a Happy Moo Year too.

Colombia

Colombians take wanderlust to entirely new levels, walking around the block with an empty suitcase on 31^st December in hopes of a travel-filled year ahead. Because if you own a suitcase you probably have a job and can afford to travel… This coupled with the yellow underwear would probably be an interesting sight to see as the clock strikes twelve. 

Finland

Families in Finland melt tin horseshoes and pour the molten metal into a bucket of water and interpret the resulting shape to predict what the next year will bring. Different shapes mean different things like health, prosperity, happiness, etc. So, does the secret of its innovative education ideas lie in solidified metal pieces?

South Africa

Celebrations in some parts of South Africa involve throwing appliances and furniture out of the window. This does not bode well for trees in the coming year, does it?

As you can see, different parts of the world welcome the new year in different and unique ways. Although some might be beyond our comprehension, we must respect them all because the spirit and excitement among all of us is the same on that last day of the year. These traditions are just different ways of expressing emotions and they rightly depict the cultural diversity of the world. So, as we enter the New Year in less than a week, tell me in the comments what new tradition you want to try out this year.

Happy New Year!

(Written by Niyoshi Parekh)

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About Sprightly Spirit

“I dare do all that may become a man. Who dares more is none”. And all, may be. It may be the vigor. Or the spirit. Or the courage to avoid being “politically correct” or bent. And, ban all averse with immaculate overture of graciously fathomable words firm in views. Subtle. Justifying the undying conscience. Values. Knowledge. And, dares to stay true. True to own. True to the world. And, to the words. With a dream in eyes it exists. In you. In me. In all. The sprite that never shies away. The spirit that never dies!