To welcome 2023: time-honored traditions and untraditional jewelry

Whether in a winter coat under fluffy snowflakes, or in a raincoat under a pouring rain. In a t-shirt on an open terrace, or in soft pajamas under a warm blanket. In the whirlpool of a loud carnival, or at a night shift in the hospital ICU: in a few days, all of us will welcome it again.

Just as there are many ways to celebrate, there are many traditions to usher in the New Year.

So pick a hilarious or bizarre, unexpected or inspiring, whimsical or uplifting tradition from any spot of the world, and an out-of-the-ordinary piece of jewelry – for the cozy, festive and beautiful celebration!

Smashing plates in Denmark

On New Year’s day, the sheer annoyance of breaking an expensive porcelain plate might turn into a sign of good luck. In Denmark, finding a pile of smashed plates on your doorstep on the morning of January 1st is not a bad thing. On the contrary, the more shatters – the better! It means good luck and is a symbol of leaving anger, aggression and any bad thoughts and deeds behind: in the past year.

Eating grapes in Spain

In Spain, when the clock starts striking, you need to reach out for grapes and eat one grape with each strike, which is believed to bring twelve lucky months. The origins of this festive practice, dating back to the late 19th century, are banal and commercial: Spanish vine growers came up with it to sell more grapes. However, soon this shrewd marketing trick turned into a sweet tradition!

Ringing bells and slurping noodles in Japan

On New Year, following the Joya-no-Kane tradition, the temples of Japan ring bells 108 times: 107 times on New Year’s Eve, and one time at midnight – to chase away the one hundred and eight worldly desires which, according to the Buddhist belief, are experienced by people throughout their life.

Also, before the festive midnight, the Japanese eat the Toshikoshi soba (roughly translated as “year-crossing”) noodle soup. The long soba noodles are easy to cut, which symbolizes cutting off and letting go of all the bad things and feelings which were trying to bend and break us in the past year.

Throwing furniture in South Africa

In Johannesburg, South Africa, people have an odd New Year’s tradition: they throw old furniture and other unused and unwanted items out their windows and balconies. Though sounds like fun on paper, in reality it may prove dangerous: if heavy stuff falls on a pedestrian’s head. Besides, just think of the people who later need to clean up all this mess!

Walking with an empty suitcase in South America

In some countries of South America, people walk the town on New Year’s Eve with empty suitcases, because they believe this will attract breathtaking adventures and fascinating travel to their lives (hence more travel items to their suitcases) .

Hiding potatoes in Colombia

On New Year’s Eve, Colombians put one peeled, one unpeeled and one half-peeled potato under their bed, and then, when the clock strikes twelve, pull out one, without looking. Picking up the unpeeled potato means a prosperous year, the unpeeled – financial struggles, the half-peeled – just the average year: neither too promising, nor too unfavorable.

Banging bread against the wall in Ireland

Meanwhile, the Irish bang a loaf of bread against their walls, thus chasing away the evil, inviting good luck and making sure the new year will not lack in delicious food or other good things in life.

First footing in Scotland

One of the biggest New Year’s traditions in Scotland is called first footing: if you want (and why wouldn’t you?!) the coming year to be successful, you want the first person to cross the threshold of your home after midnight to be a dark-haired man. Historically, this may stem from the times when Scotland was invaded by the light-haired Vikings; so, naturally, the Scots wanted to see someone quite the opposite entering their house on the festive night.

Pummelling pomegranates in Greece

In Ancient Greece, a pomegranate was a symbol of abundance, life-giving power and fertility. That is why, right after midnight, modern Greeks throw a pomegranate against the door of their home. Although sounds – and looks! – messy and a real nightmare to the one who will need to clean it up, the more grapefruit seeds get scatterėd around, the luckier the coming year is expected to be.

Sprinkling salt in Turkey

In Turkey, the tradition, although less unaesthetic, still requires some cleaning afterwards: people sprinkle salt on their doorsteps at midnight, which – as you may have already guessed – is believed to bring good luck, peace and prosperity in the new year.

Wearing colorful underwear in Brazil

Before winter holidays, the local markets of Brazil offer an astounding variety of colorful underwear. The color of underwear worn on the New Year’s night means the kind of luck the wearer will experience in the year to come: red is for passion, yellow – money and luck, green – physical health, white – peace and harmony, blue – tranquility and friendships, pink – love, orange – professional success, purple – inspiration.

So, which one will it be? 

Messy or colorful? Reckless or sensible? Flashy or laconic? Classic or ultramodern?

What is your favorite?!

And may your – and everyone’s – New Year be peaceful, happy, healthy and fulfilling!