When it comes to the holidays, Thanksgiving and New Years Eve are my favorite ones to celebrate — sorry Christmas but you’re stressful AF. Most of my New Year’s Eve nights were spent celebrating at my Grandma’s apartment but as I got older, I would start my night there and then head to the Annual Isla New Year’s Eve party (IYKYK) or even a few years, the NY ball drop in Times Square. Now before you judge me as a New Yorker that would go to Times Square on New Year’s Eve, my disclaimer is that my in-laws had a hookup that would get us in around 10:30PM so we wouldn’t have to wait all day long and pee our own pants.
Now back to my grandmother’s, one of the traditions that we practiced on NYE was eating 12 grapes at midnight to ensure 12 good months. This tradition originated from Spain and I haven’t heard of anyone else who practiced this beside my own family. When I eventually started leaving my grandma’s before midnight, she would then pack me 12 grapes in a Ziploc and send me on my way. We’re a bit of a superstitious bunch and I didn’t eat my grapes on the eve of 1/1/2020 and look how this year turned out.
There are tons of other traditions that are practiced around the world. I might have to do all of them to ensure we don’t have a repeat of this pretty shitty year. Here are some of my favorites:
Color of Clothing: Whether it’s red for love, green for money, or yellow for joy, the color underwear that you choose to wear that night depicts what fate you’re bringing into the new year. There is also the tradition to wear white as a clean, fresh start which could totally be pulled off at home without the worry of being bumped by a drunk person with a drink in their hand.
Suitcase: Per some Central American countries, if you circle your block with your suitcase, it should bring travels in the new year. At this point, I would walk with my maleta from the Bronx to California if it meant some travel in the new year. Who’s with me?!
More foods: Some lucky foods include black eyed peas with pork according to Southerners and rice brings prosperity in Indian and Pakistani traditions. Also, fish is a sign of good fortune as it swims in one direction (forward) and noodles are a symbol of longevity by some Asian cultures. My planned dinner menu for NYE is paella with fish, mussels and clams and of course, some bubbly.
Champagne: It’s no surprise that champagne is the perfect drink for a NYE celebration with the pop of the cork and the fizz bubbling over is a celebration in itself. Champagne has a long history in being involved in celebrations as far back as the end of the French Revolution. This year, we’re opening up a bottle of champagne that was given to us as an engagement gift — I think it’s time we spoil ourselves.
What are some of your New Year’s traditions?
Leave a Reply