6 Slightly Strange New Year Traditions from Around the World

2017 is fast approaching, but what does the New Year hold for you? Maybe a new home? While you place your home on the market or start your search for something new, enjoy the New Year celebrations in style with a New Year tradition. Instead of beginning 2017 with a customary glass of fizz and singing Auld Lang Syne here are some alternatives, we have found 10 slightly strange New Year traditions from around the world.

1 Denmark – Throwing Food & Plates

The Dane’s tend to spend New Year’s Eve with friends. their celebrations are similar to us in the UK with fireworks and parties, however, they also have a prominent tradition or food saving and throwing. Just as you might think, this is when people save some food throughout the year and then throw it over the threshold of their closest friends and family, if you’re really lucky your front door will also be filled with broken plates! This means that your coming year will be filled with flourishing relationships, but who cleans up the mess?!

2 Spain – Eat 12 grapes

Celebrated as “Nochevieja” meaning “old night” New Year is widely celebrated throughout Spain. Spent with close friends and family on their New Year tradition involves grapes, 12 to be precise. A grape is eaten as the clock strikes 12 and at every stroke after until the grapes are gone. The 12 grapes are said to bring luck and prosperity for each month of the year and was first started by the King of Spain.

3 South America – Coloured underwear

In South America, they believe that the colour of your underwear could bring you happiness and love for the following year! On New Year’s Eve, they wear red or yellow underwear, red guarantees passion and love and yellow helps bring money and happiness, apparently! Yellow is Anthony Pepe’s brand colours so maybe we’ll give it a go this year!

4 Japan – Smiling into the New Year

The Japanese celebrate the New Year until the 3^rd January! Traditional celebrations include eating certain food dishes, ringing out the old year from the Temple bell, watching a television show and perhaps not strange but a lovely tradition is to smile as the new year approaches. We like this tradition and can’t help but feel it’s the nicest way welcome in the New Year, with a smile on your face.

5 Russia – Take the Plunge

A tradition that isn’t only a little strange but it doesn’t sound like something we want to do, in Russia some people dunk themselves into freezing water! As part of the New Year celebrations participants plunge into a frozen lake whilst carrying a tree trunk, the idea is that this ‘New Year’s Tree’ is placed under the ice for good luck!

6 United States – East some Peas

Yes, you heard us right, Peas, in the southern United States black-eyed peas are consumed to bring prosperity to the New Year. Eaten as part of the New Year dinner maybe you could add some to your meal this year and see if wealth and good fortune comes to you in 2017.

Before you pop out to buy some grapes and yellow underwear have a think about what you want 2017 to hold for you and your family. If you are considering selling, buying, letting or renting your home you can talk to a member of your local branch before making your final decision, maybe a valuation might help you decide or even just some local market advice. We find that talking through your questions or concerns always helps and we’ll be here to help you through the whole process. Have a great New Year, we’re looking forward to working with you in 2017.