New Year's Eve traditions from around the world

New Year's Eve traditions from Germany: mustard pastries and Dinner for One

Like many Europeans, our German neighbours celebrate New Year's Eve with traditions such as champagne toasts and fireworks. But while we can take our time buying fireworks, the Germans have to hurry: Rockets and other fireworks are usually only allowed to be sold on the last three working days of the year.

Once the desired fireworks have been purchased, people in Germany prefer to eat raclette together in convivial company rather than the fondue chinoise that is so popular in Switzerland. Everything the heart desires ends up in the small pans and is then baked with flavorful cheese. But in Germany, delicacies aren’t the only thing served on New Year's Eve. A funny New Year's Eve tradition involves serving New Year's pastries – which are not always what they seem. In some circles, guests are served mustard-filled doughnuts hidden under their jam-filled counterparts. Those who bite into the culinary abomination are lucky, however, because the mustard doughnut signifies an auspicious new year.

Lead casting has been replaced by wax casting for several years. For this, a piece of wax is heated on a spoon over a candle until it becomes liquid. The liquid wax is dumped into a bowl of ice-cold water - creating funny shapes that are used to interpret the future. Incidentally, another New Year's Eve tradition among Germans involves watching the comedy sketch Dinner for One together, which we also know and love in Switzerland.

New Year's Eve traditions in Italy: red for good luck

New Year's Eve traditions often revolve around what gets put on the table. In Italy, however, there is a tradition that involves underwear. Yes, you read that correctly! Our neighbors in Italy wear red underwear on New Year's Eve because it's supposed to bring good luck, health, and love in the new year. It is important that the underwear is new and preferably was a gift - this is considered a good omen. By the way, in Spain people believe in the lucky effect of red underwear on New Year's Eve as well.

When the old year is bid farewell and the new year is rung in, there are of course culinary delights in Italy as well. Traditionally, a lentil dish is served with knuckle of pork. The lentils, which resemble coins, are symbolic for monetary blessings in the coming year.

New Year's Eve traditions from Japan: the most important holiday of the year

New Year's Eve is the most important holiday of the entire year in Japan. But typical New Year's Eve traditions in Japan have little in common with the noisy New Year's Eve parties celebrated in the Western world. Instead, New Year's Eve in the Far East is a family celebration that resembles our Christmas Eve. People meet to eat buckwheat noodles and rice cakes together, which are supposed to bring luck and prosperity in the new year, and then they go to the Shinto shrine or temple to celebrate the first prayer of the year. Until you have rung the bell, clapped your hands and said your New Year's prayer, people in Japan wait quietly together and enjoy the contemplative atmosphere. The next day, the family goes to a larger shrine where they buy O-mikuji, which are predictions for the new year. Later, they have the traditional New Year's meal O-Sechi, which includes miso soup, sweet rice cakes, mashed sweet potatoes with chestnuts, pickled vegetables and fish.

Whereas we in the West are busy writing Christmas cards, Japanese New Year's Eve traditions involve wishing each other well for the New Year and countless New Year's cards are written. It is not unusual to receive several hundred New Year's cards, especially if you hold a high social position. Japanese children, on the other hand, eagerly await the so-called toshidama: envelopes filled with money which are given to them by relatives on New Year's Day.

New Year's Eve traditions from Ecuador: burning witch heads and politicians

In Ecuador, a somewhat creepy New Year's Eve tradition has been established: here, people stuff dolls with fireworks and light them up at midnight. But the dolls are not just some random representations. Nasty witch heads are often depicted, but imitations of politicians or figures from pop culture are also very popular. The burning of the dolls is a symbolic act to get rid of everything bad, so that one can look forward to the new year without worries. The tradition also requires jumping over a fire with the lit dolls twelve times to enjoy prosperity and good fortune in the coming year. Another unusual tradition exists for the men of Ecuador, because they are supposed to dress up as widows and ask for a small donation of money in the streets. And what do the women do in the meantime? They take photos of their partners, of course, which they can use to tease them with later. Good to know: At the end of the year, the right colour of underwear is also important in Ecuador. Red brings new love, whereas yellow promises wealth.

New Year's Eve traditions in the USA: party time

In the USA, people celebrate – depending on the area – on a grand scale. One of the most famous New Year's Eve parties takes place in Times Square in New York. Here, quite a few people gather to be part of the so-called "ball drop". The "ball", a huge sphere, descends on a pole to form the 60-second countdown to midnight. Then the fireworks go off and there is a proper celebration.

Another New Year's Eve custom in the U.S. is described as "Nothing goes out." According to this, no object is allowed to leave the house on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. This even applies to full garbage bags. If you do take something out of the house, you'll be in for some bad luck in the new year. Thus, it's better to postpone the decluttering until January

New Year's Eve traditions around the world: our conclusion

All over the world, the New Year is a great occasion to get together with loved ones and to eat and celebrate together with much joy. Sometimes loud fireworks or elsewhere a silent prayer drives away the evil spirits. Ultimately, despite their diversity, New Year's Eve traditions around the world intend to bring happiness and prosperity for the new year and to leave the old year behind. Whether you are celebrating with your closest family or are having a big party with friends and acquaintances, we wish you much joy in celebrating your favourite New Year's Eve traditions and all the very best for the New Year!