New Year’s eve is always celebrated differently around the world. Some go out and party until dawn, others stay in with family or friends.
However, there are some traditions that are carried out annually and differently around the world.
Vasilopita, Greece and Cyprus
Every year in a Greek and Greek Cypriot household a large cake is cut at the stroke of midnight or on New Year’s day.
There is a gold coin hidden in the cake and whoever receives the slice with the coin hidden in it is meant to have good luck in the new year ahead.
Toshikoshi Soba, Japan
One of the New Year’s eve traditions in Japan is to eat buckwheat noodles called ‘Toshikoshi Soba’ which are long, thin noodles that need to be eaten before midnight for good luck.
By eating these noodles, you will have a long and healthy life. Buckwheat noodles in particular are unaffected in harsh growing conditions, which translates to resilience for the new year ahead.
New Year’s Eve Dinner, Philippines
In the Philippines it is traditional to have a big dinner on New Year’s eve at midnight with family and friends. It is called the ‘Media Noche’.
Another tradition following this is to stay awake in order to welcome others into the new year ahead. There is a fireworks display on New Year’s day in order to keep the evil away.
Fireworks, United Kingdom
Firework displays are in a variety of countries on New Year’s eve. However, in the United Kingdom it is a tradition to have fireworks every year.
There is usually mulled wine and any other form of alcohol involved, along with a cheeseboard and snacks when watching the fireworks indoors with family or friends; or you can attend the huge firework event in Central London for the countdown.
Grapes, Spain
In Spain it is a yearly tradition to eat grapes on New Year’s eve. The locals stay at home until midnight and eat 12 grapes for each stroke of the clock.
This is called ‘Noche Vieja’ which translates into old night. The reason why they eat grapes is because it is supposed to bring good luck, joy and wealth into the new year ahead.
Joyous Jet-setter 