In REMORANDOM 1 you learned about Nieuwjaarsduik, a New Year’s Day tradition in the Netherlands whereby thousands of brave participants wearing orange beanies plunge into the icy cold waters of the North Sea [RR1: 50]. In REMORANDOM 2 we flagged a handful of other unusual new year’s traditions from around the world.
Brazilian tradition involves jumping over seven waves [Ed: Hmm … specific] at the stroke of midnight while making seven New Year’s wishes. This is believed to bring good luck and prosperity.
In Chile, it’s common for people to run around the block with an empty suitcase at midnight. This is believed to ensure a year filled with travel and adventure.
In Denmark, it’s a tradition to save up old and chipped dishes throughout the year and then throw them at the doors of friends and family on New Year’s Eve.
In Finland, people melt small tin horseshoes on NYE and then quickly pour the liquid into cold water. The shape of the resulting tin pieces predict the events of the coming year. [Ed: Twisted and chaotic?]
In Greece, people hang onions on their doors on NYE. On New Year’s Day, parents wake their children by tapping them on the head with the onions, symbolising growth and rebirth.
In Italy, it’s customary to wear red underwear on New Year’s Eve. It is believed to bring good luck and prosperity for the coming year.
In Japan, many Buddhist temples ring their bells 108 times at the stroke of midnight to symbolise the 108 human sins in Buddhist belief.
In the Philippines, one displays and consumes round fruits during New Year’s celebrations. Round symbolises coins – believed to bring prosperity and good fortune for the coming year.
In Russia, people write down their New Year’s wishes on a piece of paper, burn it, and then mix the ashes with champagne, which they then consume at midnight. Gritty.
In Scotland, the first person to enter a home after the stroke of midnight is called the “firstfooter”. It’s considered good luck if this person is a tall, dark-haired man. They should come bearing gifts. These gifts can be coins, coal, bread, salt or a “wee dram” of whiskey.
In Spain, it’s a tradition to eat 12 grapes at the stroke of midnight on NYE, one for each chime of the clock. It’s believed that this brings good luck for each month of the coming year.
In Sweden, it’s a popular tradition to watch a Disney special featuring Donald Duck on television at 3:00 pm on New Year’s Eve. Families gather around to enjoy this show together.
In Switzerland, there’s a peculiar [Ed: and somewhat uncharacteristic] tradition where people drop ice cream on the floor at midnight. It’s believed to bring good fortune and abundance for the coming year.
Finally, in German-speaking countries, a 1962 black-and-white British comedy sketch called “Dinner for One” has become traditional viewing on New Year’s Eve. This one is so weird we’ve decided to feature it separately. See [RR2:20].
Story Idea: Claudia Chan Shaw
REMORANDOM Book Chapters
I heard from a dear Danish friend this morning – denying any knowledge of the smashing plates tradition, although she did say they get up on a char and jump down off it to celebrate the jump into a new year. A number of travel features often pair the plate smashing with jumping off chairs at midnight — both seen as symbolic ways to leave the past year behind. However — it would seem that many actual Danes today don’t recognise this as a real, common tradition in contemporary Denmark. Good to know!