New Years Traditions Around the World

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Here in America, our New Years traditions seem pretty tame and uninventive compared to other cultures. Here are some New Years traditions from other parts of the world:

Romania – Farmers try to communicate with their animals. This is said to bring good luck for the next year.

Columbia – Locals carry empty suitcases around the block in the hopes of having a well-traveled new year.

Denmark – Danes ring in the New Year by throwing old plates and glasses against the doors of their friends and relatives houses.

Philippines – Round shapes representing coins are thought to symbolize prosperity so many Filipino families place heaps of fruit such as apples on the dining room table on New Year’s Eve.

Switzerland – The Swiss drop ice cream on the floor all night for good luck in the New Year.

Italy – Sausage and lentil stew is eaten to bring good luck as lentils represent money and good fortune.

Poland – Pickled herring is eaten on New Years Eve because of its silver skin.

According to the Reader’s Digest, the seven luckiest foods to eat on New Years Eve are:

1. Greens because they resemble money.

2. Beans, like greens, also resemble money or coins.

3. Noodles because they represent long life.

4. Fruits like pomegranate because the seeds stand for prosperity.

5. Pork is consumed because pigs are a lucky symbol because they root forward and are round.

6. Ring-shaped cakes are a symbol of the coming full circle.

7. Fish are believed to be lucky because their scales look like coins.

It is also considered good to be smiling when you bring in the new year as this brings in good luck.

I hope you are all smiling tonight! Happy New Year!

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