December 31, 2025 | 12:05 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - New Year's Eve is commonly celebrated by taking a vacation or visiting tourist spots to witness the festivity of the new year. However, just the thought of having to find parking or compete for public transportation, pay admission tickets, and stand in long queues, is already stressful to some.
But amid the year-end disasters, many people opt to welcome the new year at home, in the comfort of their sofas and with family. Just wearing casual clothes, eating their favorite snacks, and a preferred movie, the New Year's Eve becomes equally enjoyable.
Welcoming the new year at home has become a tradition in various countries. Here are some that can inspire your household celebration this year:
1. Eating Lucky Grapes
As reported by Hindustan Times, eating 12 grapes at midnight in the first 12 seconds of the new year is a tradition from Spain. Known as "las doce uvas de la suerte" or "the 12 grapes of luck," this tradition began in the late 19th century when grape producers in Alicante had a surplus of grapes. They encouraged people to eat them as a way to welcome prosperity in the New Year. Why 12? Each grape represents a month in the year, believed to bring luck for each following month.
2. Jumping into the New Year
The tradition in Denmark is easy to do. Before the clock rings twelve times, everyone gets on chairs or the sofa. When the countdown reaches zero, they jump to the floor. The jump symbolizes entering the new year and leaving behind old negative energy.
3. "First Footer" Tradition
In Scottish tradition, the first person to pass through the door in the new year, called the First Footer, will bring luck to the household. If you want to be the one to bring luck, step out briefly after midnight and come back in while carrying a small item. Whether it's a coin for wealth or a cake for food.
4. Water Toss
In Puerto Rico's tradition, throwing a bucket of water out the window at midnight is believed to cleanse the old year and drive away evil spirits. But if you're worried about bothering the neighbors, the tradition can be replaced by pouring a glass of water into the sink.
5. Colored Underwear
In Central and South America, the color of underwear at midnight is believed to determine luck for the following year. Red symbolizes passion and love, yellow attracts wealth and success, white invites peace and harmony, and green focuses on health and well-being. What color will you choose?
Read: Here Are Unique New Year Traditions Across the World, Secure Your 2026 Luck!
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