New Year’s Eve is quite possibly one of my favorite holidays. When I was little, it was an excuse to stay up way later than my parents would normally allow, watch movies, and yell-count backward from ten while watching a giant shiny ball descended in the middle of a crowd of people who were also all scream-counting. Now, it’s a time when I get to go out, party with my friends, and appreciate the fact that another year has passed. My favorite thing about New Year’s Eve, though, has got to be the traditions. From different foods that you’re supposed to eat to kissing someone at midnight, I love the cute little superstitions. However, most people my age just really aren’t into those anymore, and that kind of sucks. Here are some traditions you should definitely follow this year.
1. Eat Twelve Grapes At Midnight
This is an old Spanish tradition that is supposed to bring about prosperity in the new year. Twelve grapes? There have got to be wayyyyy more grapes than that in a bottle of wine. So the way I see it, when I down an entire bottle of chard, it means I’m going to be extremely prosperous and not at all just a girl looking for an excuse to drink an entire bottle of wine, right?
2. The House Has To Be Clean
This is supposed to set the tone for your entire new year. Dirty house? Bad year. I, however, am using it as an excuse to get my boyfriend to help me power clean. Seriously, if your guy won’t clean any other time of the year, get him to do it now. We’re spending the entire day making our house look decent, and the entire night celebrating the new beginnings coming our way.
3. Eat Unhealthy Food
I don’t know if this is just a southern thing, but on New Year’s Day, you’re supposed to eat things like rice, collard greens, and other ridiculously salty and fattening foods to bring about luck, financial prosperity, and other good fortune. Basically, you can eat a ton of food that breaks the diet code and not feel guilty, because tradition. Duh.
4. Smash Plates
The Danish do this to get rid of the bad things that happened in the old year, and I have to admit that it’s a fun way to blow off the negativity the old year gave you. Plus, it’s a great way to get rid of ugly plates that you don’t like.
5. Wear Red Underwear
This is supposed to bring luck in love, but it also gives you a chance to put on your sexiest red lingerie. If you don’t have any? It gives you a chance to go out and buy new underwear! And seriously, who doesn’t feel hot when wearing something lacy and red?
6. Kiss Someone At Midnight
This is probably the most well-known of the New Year’s traditions. Before you get all sad and say, “I’m single, I don’t have anyone to kiss at midnight,” just grab someone and kiss him. Have some courage — do something spontaneous and fun. It’ll be a great start to the new year, I promise..
Image via Shutterstock
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ShutUpAndRead
ShutUpAndRead is a mass communications major from a small school in South Carolina that you've probably never heard of. She enjoys reading, long walks on the beach, and judging the Twitterverse. When she's not busy watching videos of sloths or babies dancing to pop music, she can be found pretending to be a princess and working diligently on her MRS degree.
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