New Years Traditions

Whether you're relieved to see the back of the old one or simply happy to start a new one, you'll no doubt want to celebrate New Year's Eve. How you do this will differ depending on where you are in the world as the bells chime at midnight on 31st December. Here we take a look at some interesting New Year's facts, and some of the most spectacular, or in some cases, weirdest, New Year's traditions from across the globe.

The Pacific island of Tonga is the firstplace on earth to celebrate New Year's Eve. Tongans generally celebrate New Year's Eve with church, family and food. Tongans are known for their enthusiastic singing, which resonates out of churches at sunset and midnight New Year services. After travelling right around the world, the New Year eventually comes full circle and the uninhabited islands of Howland and Baker, near the United States, are the last places on earth to hear midnight strike. You won't be partying there on New Year's Eve, though, as the islands' only inhabitants are seabirds, dolphins and reef fish.

In Spain, it's traditional to eat 12 grapes in quick succession - one on each stroke of the clock at midnight. Each grape represents goodluck for one month of the coming year (as long as you don't choke on them!)

Greeks hang an onion on their front door as a symbol ofrebirth in the New Year. On New Year's Day, Greek children experience the pleasure of their parents tapping them on the head with the onion to wake them up.

The Danes have a more boisterous method of bestowing good luck on one another for the year ahead. They welcome the New Year by throwing old plates and glasses against the front doors of family and friends to banish bad spirits. They alsojump off chairs in unison to « leap » into January.

One of the most iconic New Year's Eve traditions is the ball drop at midnight in Times Square, New York. Millions of Americans gather around their TV sets to watch theball descend, whilst thousands of New Yorkers and visitors huddle together in freezing Times Square to witness it firsthand.

Last but definitely not least, France's New Year's Eve celebrations unsurprisingly revolve around fine food and drink. Although there are some regional variations, New Year's Eve staple dishes include foie gras, oysters, smoked salmon and caviar. All this rich food is washed down with generous servings of champagne and danced away to the sound of loud music, fireworks and the honking of horns. The custom of being as loud as possible probably originates from the old belief that noise scares away demons and bad spirits as we pass into a new year.

Wherever and however you will be celebrating New Year’s Eve, I hope that have a very happy one. Bonne Année!