New Year's traditions you can incorporate into your celebrations

While most of us will be celebrating this New Year’s with parties and fireworks, some cultures around the world takes things a bit further with some rather unique traditions. It may be the holiday that is universally celebrated around the world, but it seems no two countries ring in the New Year quite the same way.

Explore some of the wild and crazy New Year’s traditions around the world you may wish to incorporate into your celebrations this year. Better yet, book a holiday to see these traditions for yourself and make this New Year’s one you’ll never forget. Count on a travel insurance policy to be there for you, so you can welcome the New Year with peace of mind.

Breaking plates in Denmark

No need to worry about cleaning up all the dishes form your New Year’s party in Demark, as the Danes simply smash them and place them at the doors of their neighbours or friends to bring them luck. So if you awaken with a pile of broken china on New Year’s Day, consider yourself loved and popular. Just remember to save a few plates to enjoy a slice of Kransekake, a popular tiered cake that is eaten during New Year’s in Denmark.

Burning scarecrows in Ecuador

In what seems more like a Halloween celebration, citizens of Ecuador burn scarecrows at midnight. This, along with burning photographs from the past year, is said to bring good fortune. With most photographs being digital these days, we can only hope that doesn’t mean you have to burn your computer or hard drive.

Slip on your red undies in Italy

If you’re looking to find love in the New Year, do as the Italians do and put on your best pair of bright red underwear. This is said to attract the love you so desire. Other countries in South America such as Argentina and Bolivia have similar traditions where certain coloured underwear will provide different results. Choose yellow to bring good fortune and white for a peaceful year ahead.

Dropping ice cream on the floor in Switzerland

An even crueler New Year’s tradition takes place in Switzerland. The Swiss make a point to drop perfectly good ice cream on the floor to bring good luck. This seems counterintuitive due to the fact losing ice cream seems only like bad luck don’t you think?  

Lugging suitcases around in Colombia

If you’re looking to hopefully travel more during the New Year, do as the Colombians do and carry around your empty suitcases for the day. This is said to bring more passport stamps to your passport. A little tip, the more bags you carry, the more destinations you will visit.

Celebrating with onions in Greece

In what may seem a bit silly, citizens of Greece hang an onion from their doors as a symbol of rebirth for the New Year. Their poor children are then awakened with a tap on the head from the onion on New Year’s Day. Be aware this tradition may make you cry on New Years, but I think we all know one previous past Australian Prime Minister that will be all over this tradition.

Ringing in the New Year with the dead in Chile

After many Chileans were breaking into cemeteries to spend New Year’s Eve with loved ones that have passed, many towns have decided to open the gates to their graveyards. Some families even spend the night in the cemeteries. Who doesn’t need a few good nightmares to ring in the New Year?