Whether you are superstitious or not, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day are synonymous with a variety of beliefs about actions or deeds that ‘guarantee’ to bring either very good fortune, or very bad incidents to happen during the upcoming year.
For instance, the Scots believe the First-Footer is the first person who steps into your home after midnight. He or she sets the tone for the year ahead…it’s especially fortunate if that first-footer is a tall, dark-haired man.
Or be like the Greeks. Break a pomegranate on the floor on New Year’s Eve. Let every family member take a whack at it with a spoon, smashing it in the 13th round. That’s once for every month and an extra one for added prosperity!
Breaking a glass on New Year’s Day is believed to chase away evil spirits for the year as well as clear the air of any negativity. In Denmark family and friends visit each other’s homes to throw plates or glasses against the homes on the Eve. By morning, the bigger the pile of broken glass, the luckier will be that year for the family inside.
For the Irish, New Year’s Eve is the time to take that mistletoe hanging from the ceiling and tuck it under your pillow. It’s a sure thing you’ll dream of your future love. They say it works as well with holly or ivy if you haven’t got mistletoe.
Lots of food things are associated with New Year’s superstitions, The Scots believe Haggis, that pudding they love made with from minced sheep is said to bring a heap of good luck in the new year. Chicken is a no-no on New Year’s Eve in some places, since chickens have wings and eating them will cause good luck to fly away for the year.
On the other hand eating donuts is a must on New Year’s!. Many believe eating ring-shaped foods like donuts, bagels, and cakes will bring good fortune full-circle. In Greece, a special sweet bread called vasilopita is served at midnight. A coin is placed inside the batter and whoever finds it in their slice will have extra luck!
The Spanish believe you should put down that champagne at midnight and eat 12 grapes instead. Bound to bring you good luck every month of 2026.
For some, obviously none of those who ever visits the Lobster Boss at Bahrs Restaurant in Highlands, think eating lobster on New Year’s brings bad luck. It’s only those who believe that because crustaceans move backwards, it could mean setbacks in the year ahead.
On the other hand, there are those who believe pork is a must on the menu, especially among those of Chinese culture. They hold the pig high on good fortune and prosperity anyway, and like the Germans, believe pork is lucky since pigs look forward when they eat and that represents progress in 2026.
Of course, making Hoppin’ Johns is a very old tradition and superstition. Hoppin’ Johns have roots in African and West Indian traditions and haves been a popular MUST in the South since the 1800s. Black-eyed peas represent coins and collard greens stand for cash. Eating Hoppin John’s assures the diner of both during 2026 when eaten on New Year’s Eve.
In Poland and Scandinavia, and many other places, it’s pickled herring at midnight that brings prosperity for the year to come. It’s a sure thing because of course the fish is silver like coins! So tuck some herring into that smorgasbord platter along with any other smoked fish.
On the other hand,. There are those who think that simply families banging loaves of Christmas bread against the walls and doors will ward off evil spirits and pave the way for a healthy and prosperous new year.
Then there are the energetic superstitions. In Denmark, jumping off a chair at midnight means a leap into the new year filled with good fortune. Rising early on New Year’s Day in Poland ensures one will wake up easily throughout the year and be a fortunate early bird. Stepping forward with your right foot first at midnight is said to bring good luck for the year in a number of different cultures.
For those of us near the ocean, and ready to brave frigid temperatures and icy water, jumping over seven waves on New Year’s Eve and making one wish on each wave, is a guaranteed they’ll all come true in 2026. Of course, that superstition started in Brazil where today’s temperature is 78 degrees, compared to New Jersey’s 29 degrees.
Italians believe by tossing out old dishes, clothes or anything else on New Year’s Eve is the same as getting go of the past and making room for good fortune in the new year.
In the Philippines, they make it easier.. Simply wear polka dots to ensure wealth.. Polka dots look like coins, so wearing the pattern is good enough to have the real thing come in during the coming months, right? If you’re looking for luck in your clothing, start with underwear. Red, white, and yellow pairs of underwear have their own symbolism in Mexico; red means romance, white stands for peace and yellow brings wealth.
Cleaning up your house on New Year’s Eve day is not a good thing; it is similar to swiping away a loved one in the coming year, something those in doubt of whether to accept that marriage proposal look to. On the happier side, it’s a great excuse for not cleaning before the New Year comes in. Either way, open doors and windows just before midnight lets the old year out and the new one in.
Depending on your belief, either carrying cash in your wallet on New Years, as well as getting your finances in order and settling past debts are a sure thing for good fortune in 2026. On the other hand, carrying an empty suitcase guarantees lots of travel adventures next year; but filling your cabinets with plenty of foods means there will be a scarcity there for you in 2026.
Either way, be sure not to cry on New Year’s Eve as it may well set the tone for the coming year.Instead, make lots of noise at midnight; that scares away all those evil spirits, so smile when those noisemakers go over the limit.
Regardless of whether it’s attached to superstition or not, it’s always good to share that midnight kiss with someone you love. It’s probably the oldest of traditions, dating back to when the Roman’s celebrated Saturn.
As for me, simply leaving a Christmas card with the Three Kings on it over the front door year round absolutely guarantees a year filled with friends, love, thoughtfulness of others and enough good fortune to look forward to another year of peace and happiness.
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