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New Year’s Traditions from Around the World: Ferdinand and French Lick

How will you ring in the New Year? Perhaps you’re going out on the town, or hosting a New Year’s Eve bash. Or maybe you prefer a quiet evening at home followed by a special New Year’s Day breakfast with your loved ones.

No matter how you plan to or traditionally celebrate on December 31 it’s a great time to reflect on the past year, leave the bad behind, and make a fresh start.

It’s also a good time to see how others ring in the New Year from different lands around the globe.

• In England, the first person to enter a home after midnight is said to bring good fortune. Ideally, it will be a tall, dark-haired male and he should bring a loaf of bread, drink for the head of the household, and coal for the fire. He should enter through the front door and leave through the back.

• As the clock strikes 12 in Spain, it is customary to eat 12 grapes for good luck for the coming year.

• In the Philippines, eating round fruits and wearing polka dots is believed to ensure a prosperous new year.

• In Denmark, they leap into the New Year – literally. Jumping off a chair at midnight is said to banish bad spirits and bring good luck.

• In Finland, people predict the coming year by casting molten tin into water and interpreting the resulting shape. For example, a pig signifies plenty of food, a ship means travel, and a heart forecasts a wedding in the family.

• In parts of Central and South America, the type of underwear you don is believed to predict the coming year. In fact, market vendors often start selling brightly colored underpants before the holiday. The most popular colors are yellow (signifying money) and red (signifying love).

Happy New Year from all of us here at Messmer Mechanical.  May yours be filled with good intentions, excellent health, and just rewards for all your hard work.