NEW YEAR AROUND THE WORLD
Ringing in the New Year: Resolutions Around the World
The New Year is a time to reflect on the past and plan for the future. Around the world, different cultures mark this special moment with unique traditions, and many make resolutions as a way of setting intentions for the year ahead. Let’s take a closer look at how people in different countries ring in the New Year and what resolutions mean to them.
The UK: Toasts, Traditions, and Janus
In the UK, New Year’s resolutions are as traditional as fireworks over Big Ben. Popular goals include eating healthier, exercising more, or finally starting that hobby you’ve been talking about for years. But did you know the origins of resolutions go all the way back to the Romans?
The Romans dedicated the New Year to Janus, the god of beginnings and endings. Janus had two faces: one looking to the past and one to the future. Romans offered sacrifices to Janus and promised to live better lives in the coming year. This idea of reflecting on the past and setting future goals has stuck around for over 2,000 years, evolving into the resolutions we make today.
Modern Brits often celebrate with friends or family, raising a glass of bubbly as Big Ben chimes midnight. New Year’s Day is more low-key—filled with long walks, TV specials, and possibly some regret over last night’s festivities!
Spain: The Grapes of Luck
In Spain, the New Year wouldn’t be complete without grapes—12 of them, to be precise. This tradition, called las doce uvas de la suerte (the twelve lucky grapes), dates back to the late 19th century. At midnight, as the clock chimes 12 times, Spaniards eat one grape for each chime, each representing a month of the year.
The challenge lies in eating all the grapes before the last chime without choking or laughing too much. It’s a chaotic, joyous moment shared with friends and family. If you manage to finish all your grapes in time, you’re said to be blessed with good fortune for the year ahead. Some even prepare their grapes by peeling or seeding them in advance—because nobody wants a mid-grape disaster on New Year’s Eve!
Japan: Bells, Noodles, and Clean Houses
In Japan, the New Year, or Shōgatsu, is one of the most important holidays of the year. Preparations start well before 31st December with a tradition called ōsōji, where families thoroughly clean their homes. This isn’t just about tidying up; it’s about purging bad luck and making room for positive energy.
At midnight, Buddhist temples ring their bells 108 times in a ceremony called Joya no Kane. The number 108 represents the human desires that cause suffering, according to Buddhist teachings. By listening to the bells, people symbolically cleanse themselves of these desires and start the year fresh.
Another Japanese tradition is eating toshikoshi soba—buckwheat noodles. The long noodles symbolise longevity and resilience, making them the perfect meal to usher in the New Year. Instead of popping fireworks, the Japanese prefer a more reflective, family-oriented celebration.
Denmark: Plates, Chairs, and New Beginnings
The Danes have some of the most unusual New Year’s traditions. One involves smashing old plates against the doors of friends and neighbours. The more broken crockery on your doorstep, the more loved and lucky you’re considered. While it might sound messy, it’s all in good spirits and part of strengthening friendships for the year ahead.
At midnight, many Danes climb onto chairs and leap off them as the clock strikes 12. This symbolic “jump” into the New Year is said to bring good fortune and a fresh start. The combination of laughter, noise, and quirky traditions makes Denmark’s New Year celebrations unforgettable.
Brazil: Waves and Wishes
In Brazil, the New Year is a beachside affair. People dress in white, a colour symbolising peace and purity, and gather along the coast. One of the most popular traditions involves jumping over seven waves in the ocean. Each wave represents a wish for the coming year.
Another beautiful ritual is offering flowers, candles, and small gifts to Iemanjá, the goddess of the sea. These offerings are placed on the water, floating away as a way to seek blessings and express gratitude. It’s a magical, reflective way to begin the year, surrounded by the sounds of waves and the glow of moonlight.
South Africa: Out with the Old
In South Africa, some communities take “out with the old, in with the new” quite literally. In parts of Johannesburg, people have a tradition of throwing old furniture, appliances, and other unwanted items out of their windows. It’s a dramatic way of symbolising a fresh start and letting go of past negativity.
While this practice is less common now (for obvious safety reasons), the sentiment remains: the New Year is a chance to leave behind what no longer serves you and welcome positive change.
The Philippines: Circles of Prosperity
In the Philippines, New Year’s Eve is all about circles, which symbolise coins and prosperity. Families decorate their homes with round objects, serve round fruits like oranges and grapes, and even wear polka dots for good luck.
At midnight, people jingle coins in their pockets and jump as high as they can, believing this will bring financial success and growth in the coming year. The celebrations are vibrant, noisy, and full of hope for a prosperous year ahead.
What’s Your Resolution?
From eating grapes in Spain to jumping waves in Brazil, every country has its own way of celebrating the New Year. But one thing unites us all: the hope for a better future. Resolutions, whether they’re big or small, remind us that we have the power to change and grow.
So, what will you do differently this year? Will you smash some plates, tidy your room, or make a promise to yourself? Wherever you are and however you celebrate, here’s wishing you a happy and exciting 2025!
The New Year is a time to reflect on the past and plan for the future. Around the world, different cultures mark this special moment with unique traditions, and many make resolutions as a way of setting intentions for the year ahead. Let’s take a closer look at how people in different countries ring in the New Year and what resolutions mean to them.
The UK: Toasts, Traditions, and Janus
In the UK, New Year’s resolutions are as traditional as fireworks over Big Ben. Popular goals include eating healthier, exercising more, or finally starting that hobby you’ve been talking about for years. But did you know the origins of resolutions go all the way back to the Romans?
The Romans dedicated the New Year to Janus, the god of beginnings and endings. Janus had two faces: one looking to the past and one to the future. Romans offered sacrifices to Janus and promised to live better lives in the coming year. This idea of reflecting on the past and setting future goals has stuck around for over 2,000 years, evolving into the resolutions we make today.
Modern Brits often celebrate with friends or family, raising a glass of bubbly as Big Ben chimes midnight. New Year’s Day is more low-key—filled with long walks, TV specials, and possibly some regret over last night’s festivities!
Spain: The Grapes of Luck
In Spain, the New Year wouldn’t be complete without grapes—12 of them, to be precise. This tradition, called las doce uvas de la suerte (the twelve lucky grapes), dates back to the late 19th century. At midnight, as the clock chimes 12 times, Spaniards eat one grape for each chime, each representing a month of the year.
The challenge lies in eating all the grapes before the last chime without choking or laughing too much. It’s a chaotic, joyous moment shared with friends and family. If you manage to finish all your grapes in time, you’re said to be blessed with good fortune for the year ahead. Some even prepare their grapes by peeling or seeding them in advance—because nobody wants a mid-grape disaster on New Year’s Eve!
Japan: Bells, Noodles, and Clean Houses
In Japan, the New Year, or Shōgatsu, is one of the most important holidays of the year. Preparations start well before 31st December with a tradition called ōsōji, where families thoroughly clean their homes. This isn’t just about tidying up; it’s about purging bad luck and making room for positive energy.
At midnight, Buddhist temples ring their bells 108 times in a ceremony called Joya no Kane. The number 108 represents the human desires that cause suffering, according to Buddhist teachings. By listening to the bells, people symbolically cleanse themselves of these desires and start the year fresh.
Another Japanese tradition is eating toshikoshi soba—buckwheat noodles. The long noodles symbolise longevity and resilience, making them the perfect meal to usher in the New Year. Instead of popping fireworks, the Japanese prefer a more reflective, family-oriented celebration.
Denmark: Plates, Chairs, and New Beginnings
The Danes have some of the most unusual New Year’s traditions. One involves smashing old plates against the doors of friends and neighbours. The more broken crockery on your doorstep, the more loved and lucky you’re considered. While it might sound messy, it’s all in good spirits and part of strengthening friendships for the year ahead.
At midnight, many Danes climb onto chairs and leap off them as the clock strikes 12. This symbolic “jump” into the New Year is said to bring good fortune and a fresh start. The combination of laughter, noise, and quirky traditions makes Denmark’s New Year celebrations unforgettable.
Brazil: Waves and Wishes
In Brazil, the New Year is a beachside affair. People dress in white, a colour symbolising peace and purity, and gather along the coast. One of the most popular traditions involves jumping over seven waves in the ocean. Each wave represents a wish for the coming year.
Another beautiful ritual is offering flowers, candles, and small gifts to Iemanjá, the goddess of the sea. These offerings are placed on the water, floating away as a way to seek blessings and express gratitude. It’s a magical, reflective way to begin the year, surrounded by the sounds of waves and the glow of moonlight.
South Africa: Out with the Old
In South Africa, some communities take “out with the old, in with the new” quite literally. In parts of Johannesburg, people have a tradition of throwing old furniture, appliances, and other unwanted items out of their windows. It’s a dramatic way of symbolising a fresh start and letting go of past negativity.
While this practice is less common now (for obvious safety reasons), the sentiment remains: the New Year is a chance to leave behind what no longer serves you and welcome positive change.
The Philippines: Circles of Prosperity
In the Philippines, New Year’s Eve is all about circles, which symbolise coins and prosperity. Families decorate their homes with round objects, serve round fruits like oranges and grapes, and even wear polka dots for good luck.
At midnight, people jingle coins in their pockets and jump as high as they can, believing this will bring financial success and growth in the coming year. The celebrations are vibrant, noisy, and full of hope for a prosperous year ahead.
What’s Your Resolution?
From eating grapes in Spain to jumping waves in Brazil, every country has its own way of celebrating the New Year. But one thing unites us all: the hope for a better future. Resolutions, whether they’re big or small, remind us that we have the power to change and grow.
So, what will you do differently this year? Will you smash some plates, tidy your room, or make a promise to yourself? Wherever you are and however you celebrate, here’s wishing you a happy and exciting 2025!