Forget about the mandatory kiss at midnight – these weird customs from around the world sound so much more fun.
Forget about the mandatory kiss at midnight – these weird customs from around the world sound so much more fun
Denmark
The Danes love to jump into the New Year – literally. They’ll find a chair to stand on as the countdown starts, and when the clock strikes 12, everyone jumps off together. Sounds fun, ‘cept for the people who have been drinking way too much at the party.
Ireland
There are many superstitions about driving bad juju away, but Ireland’s method really takes the cake. Their New Year traditions include banging Christmas bread on walls and doors, in hopes that the noise would scare off bad spirits.
Spain
In Spain, it’s customary to cram 12 grapes into your mouth at the stroke of midnight. Each grape you put into your mouth signifies a month of good luck. Warning: this is a potential choking hazard. Please don’t try this if you’re alone at home.
Colombia
If you’ve made a resolution about traveling more in 2016, pay attention. Colombians believe that walking around with an empty suitcase on New Year’s Day means that you’ll get to go on holidays more often. No harm testing this out!
Peru
Every December, Peruvians go all Fight Club on each other at the Takanakuy festival. The name literally means “to hit each other”. All old conflicts are settled this way, and everybody starts on a clean slate after. We bet you have already conjured up a list of people you want to hit eh?
Brasstown, North Carolina
So you’ve heard of the Ball Drop at Times Square, but do you know of the possum drop at Brasstown? Don’t worry, the cute critter isn’t violently flung off at a terrifying height. It’s lowered down slowly in a plexiglass pyramid from the roof of convenience store Clay’s Corner.
