NUMBER 1 As the clock strikes midnight around the world, many people take to the streets to ring in the New Year by banging pots and pans. The tradition is carried out across the world, from the UK to Australia, although it is widely believed that the tradition originated in Ireland. The action is said to ward off evil spirits and negativity, paving the way for a happy and positive year ahead.
Number 2 Talca is a small town in Chile with a very strange, weird and freaky New Year custom. The people of Talca celebrate the new year with their dead relatives in the cemetery. People are welcomed in the cemetery with light classical music and dim blinking lights making the cemetery are perfect party place. They believe that their loved ones wait for them in the cemetery and they should start the new year with them. The tradition began in 1995, when a local family jumped the cemetery fence to spend New Year’s near their father’s grave. Now over 5,000 people have adopted this tradition.
Number 3 A strange and weird New Year tradition in Denmark is breaking the dishes at neighbor’s door. Strangely this makes them happy instead of annoying them. The family with the hugest tower of broken plates, glasses, cups and other crockery is considered to be the luckiest one because it means that they have lots of loyal friends.
Number 4 Ecuador has a unique custom of making scarecrows and burning them at midnight. They dress up and fill the scarecrows with newspapers and pieces of wood. As mid night approaches, everyone gathers outside their home and each family burns their scarecrow. The tradition says that this destroys all the bad things that took place in the past 12 months. The scarecrow also scares bad luck. This fills their New Year with luck and happiness.
NUMBER 5 Talking to spirits is a part of Mexican belief. Mexicans strongly believe that they can communicate with the souls of their dead loved ones. New Year eve is considered the best time to communicate with the dead spirits to convey a message or ask for guidance.
Number 6 In parts of Italy such as Naples the motto is “Out with the old”, where on New Year’s Eve, it is traditional to throw old, unwanted furniture out of balconies to symbolise a fresh start for the year ahead. Although to prevent injuries, most locals just stick to small and soft objects for their throwing tradition but still, it’s a good idea to watch out while strolling the streets of Naples on New Year’s Eve. Oddly enough, this custom is also practised in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Number 7 Every year in a small village in Peru, villagers settle their differences with an end of year fist fight
Number 8 It’s a tradition in America to share a sweet midnight kiss with your girlfriend or boyfriend or with anyone in case you don’t have one. This will make the coming year incredibly beautiful for you. They believe that this practice brings true love. It washes away the bad memories and fate from the past and marks the beginning of a New Year full of love and life. A famous movie, “In Search of A Midnight Kiss” is themed on this New Year Ritual.
Number 9 Residents of Brazil, Mexico, Bolivia and other South American states welcome the New Year by wearing colorful underwear. The usually wear red, yellow or other brightly colored under-wears past midnight to catch good fortune for the coming year. Red means an amorous love life ahead and yellow expresses the desire to gain money and wealth. The wishes of the locals are expressed via their underpants.