It’s just not New Year’s Eve without a few certain activities, like watching the balldrop, making some noise at midnight, and singing iconic New Year’s Eve songs like “Auld Lang Syne,” for starters. But did you know that some of the things you do before the clock strikes 12 are longstanding traditions, derived from New Year’s superstition and folklore from around the world? Yes, there’s more to a midnight kiss than you might think (so choose your partner wisely!), and blowing horns and setting off fireworks are for more than just a cute Instagram photo.
We’ve rounded up a ton of other New Year’s superstitions right here that you may not have ever heard of either. If you’re planning to host a New Year’s Eve party, you may want to leave any lobster and chicken ideas off the appetizer menu. (But if you happen to like collard greens, black-eyed peas, and other lucky New Year’s lunch ideas, you’re looking at a great year!) Superstition says that it’s important to keep your cupboards and wallet full too, and to be very particular about people coming and going from your house close to midnight. But even if you’re feeling auspicious no matter what you do on New Year’s Eve, know that lots of cultures agree that how you spend New Year’s Day will set the precedent for how your year will go. Here’s to 2020!
