Around the world, New Year's Eve means the same thing: the old year is once again vigorously celebrated to give way to the new year on time at midnight. That, in turn, promises good luck, success, maybe a new love - the bad is simply left behind. And in order to really make luck happen, there are various customs to help with this.
Customs around the dear money
In Germany, for example, it was a long-standing tradition to put a dab of carp in one's purse, which one ate on New Year's Eve. This was supposed to make enough money the following year. Lentils, which resembled small coins in their shape, were also eaten as a side dish. They were also seen as a symbol of the desired prosperity.
Chasing away the evil spirits
Did you know why on New Year's Eve there is a firework display in the sky? Sure, it's a neat spectacle and looks really great. But originally, the light and noise that inevitably comes with it was meant to keep evil spirits away. In some areas, the blacksmiths were commissioned to do this ahead of the time of the fireworks: they would gather around an anvil and take turns hitting it. Maybe we should come back to that this year too - because the New Year's crackers won't be happening in many regions this year.
Habits for more happiness in life
Pigs made of marzipan, chimney sweep or four-leaf clover: they're all given away on New Year's Eve, as they promise good luck. The ever-popular lead pouring - which can now only be poured with wax for health reasons - is also widespread and needs no further explanation. But have you ever heard of the tradition of eating twelve grapes in Spain? It doesn't start until the first bell tolls at midnight. Those who manage to eat all the grapes at the last bell are promised prosperity and happiness. But even if you don't make it, the full cheeks always make for a good laugh.
Come back - because there will be no New Year's Eve crackers in many regions this year.
For love
In southern Europe, a custom seems to bring new love and general happiness next year. But it's aimed only at the ladies: they are supposed to wear red underwear on New Year's Eve. Not just any underwear, though: it must have been a gift and should be "performed" for the first and only time on New Year's.
Austrians also have their own customs for New Year's Eve. Have you ever heard of dancing in the New Year? Traditionally, at midnight, everyone grabs a dance partner and sways to the waltz across the year's boundary. And it's not just the older Austrians who do this: the young also like to dance along. Whether this leads to more love or simply to more happiness in general is not clear. But let's face it: if you have a great dance partner, that wouldn't be a bad opportunity for another round, would it?
Laugh heartily, please
And even if you're laughing now, for many, it's an absolute custom to watch a certain movie on New Year's Eve. Ring the bell? Of course, it's "Dinner for One." The 18-minute sketch is played on so many channels on New Year's, setting a new record for viewership every year that you almost can't get around it anyway; in 1988 it was even entered into the Guinness Book of Records as the world's most-repeated TV production. So why not bow to his fate and watch it again this year? Or to put it mildly: "The same procedure as every year, James!"
No matter which custom you choose on New Year's Eve, we wish you and your family a happy new and certainly exciting 2021.
