33 HOLIDAY MENTAL HEALTH 35, 36, 37 COUNTING TILL MIDNIGHT

cOunTIng TILL MID

Bringing in the New Year is an exciting time because you have another 365 days to work on yourself, pursue your goals, learn new things, and start fresh. People all over the world gather together to celebrate a brand new year in many different and fun ways. Let’s take a look at some fun activities you can do to get in the spirit!

TakE yOuR suITcasEFOR a spIn aROunDTHEBLOck

In Columbia and Mexico, people carry their empty suitcases around their neighborhood when the clock strikes at midnight on New Year’s Eve in hopes of a travel-filled year. The suitcases represent new adventures and new possibilities. If you don’t want to have your entire block thinking you have lost your mind, another fun alternative is to bring your luggage and walk around your house seven times.

Usually taking a suitcase with wheels can help you walk or run around your neighborhood a lot easier. This is lots of fun! TOasT aTMIDnIgHT

In Spain and in many Latin American countries, eating 12 Grapes at midnight on New Year’s eve is a big tradition that dates back to the 1900s.

In downtown Madrid and Barcelona, crowds gather around in the heart of the city to get together and eat their lucky grapes or as they call it, uvas de la suerte. This fruit represents good luck for each month of the coming year and with each grape you can make a new wish.

In some countries, the circle is considered to be of good luck and a symbol of prosperity because of its round shape like a coin. In the Philippines, people even wear polka dots and eat any fruit that is round for good luck and grapes seem to be the most common during the New Year’s celebration.

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aMIDnIgHT kIss

In the United States, kissing someone special at midnight is quite popular especially for the hundreds of thousands of people who visit New York City each year when the famous ball drops in Times Square.

The New Year’s kiss tradition is said to have first started in Ancient Rome dating back to the 8th century B.C. where big parties were held to celebrate the coming of a new year with families and friends. The parties were ongoing and some even lasted for days. Food, beverages, music, and good company made this celebration one they looked forward to every year. It was believed that the first person you encountered at midnight would determine whether you had a good or bad year. This is the reason why many decided to kiss and make sure that love was guaranteed in the next months to come.

The legend remains till this day and says if you find your midnight kiss on New Year’s Eve then you will bring love all year long into your life. It is a superstition that many believe can give you good or bad luck. If you are fortunate enough to find a New Year’s kiss then you will bring good fortune to your life and your partner’s. If you don’t get a midnight kiss then you will be destined for another lonely year of being single.

On this eventful day keep in mind the saying, "Kiss the person you hope to keep kissing." cHaMpagnETOasT aTMIDnIgHT

Drinking bubbly champagne (21+) or bubbly sparkling cider symbolizes happiness and good positive vibes throughout the year.

In the 16th century, people all over Europe who were wealthy and considered elite would indulge in drinking champagne. It was a way to celebrate big events as it was very expensive during that time.

This tradition became very popular with the French in the 19th century between the 1800s and 1850’s due to the drink’s popularity causing availability to skyrocket with production of champagne bottles jumping from 300,000 to 20 million bottles a year.

Champagne was considered a “holy drink” for the elite society and was widely used for celebratory events like wedding ceremonies, christenings, big gatherings as well as New Year celebrations where folks would get together to bring in the new year in a big way.

Today, approximately 300 million bottles of champagne are sold each year especially during the holidays.

DREss TOIMpREss anD aTTRacT gOOD vIBEs In THE cOMIng yEaR

A very popular tradition for New Years’ in Brazil is to dress in red, yellow, gold or white. Red attire symbolizes your desire to attract love in the coming year. Yellow garments symbolize good luck for you and your family. Golden attire symbolizes your yearning for a prosperous year filled with professional opportunities and overall wealth. White clothing symbolizes a fresh positive start to a peaceful year. New beginnings and opportunities await! BREakIng DIsHEs FOR a nEw BEgInnIng

Many like to begin their year by making sure that the bad spirits and negativity in the previous year get left behind by breaking old dishes at their friends’ and family’s doors. This activity is widely popular in Denmark and requires a lot of space. You can also try it by using an empty room or area in your house where guests can release their energy while making sure they can participate safely as well.

juMpIng InTOjanuaRy

In Denmark, people like to stand on chairs once the countdown to midnight begins. Right when the clock strikes at midnight, people then jump off of their chairs in hope to start a new year with good luck and positivity. This is a very easy way to participate in the festivities while having fun! Celebrating the New Year is all about starting fresh and embracing new beginnings. In whatever way you decide to bring in the new year, we hope you enjoy it safely and have fun with those you care about. Cherish every moment and make memories that will last a lifetime. We wish you a bright hopeful future ahead filled with lots of health, love, and most of all positivity. Let us know at The Chic Daily Instagram if you tried any of these New Year’s activities!

BY Jessica Herrera

photo by maja peirce and sydney witte