Jumping into 2022

By Juliana Bech

Have you ever heard of the different traditions of New Year’s Eve?      

People from all over the world celebrate this holiday and have different customs. Last year, most people did not gather due to Covid-19, but hopefully, families can celebrate New Year Eve this year.

You might celebrate by eating twelve grapes for good luck or throwing white flowers in the blue waters of the ocean. If you happen to eat the twelve grapes, did you know this tradition originated in Spain? Spaniards eat exactly twelve grapes at the stroke of dawn, hoping for the new year to be great and wishing to have a fresh start in the new year. This tradition started in the 1800s when vine growers thought of this custom to sell more grapes towards the end of the year.

If you celebrate by tossing white flowers into the ocean, that custom originated in Brazil. So don’t be surprised to find the sea littered with white flowers and blossoms if you travel to Brazil on this memorable holiday.

My family and I carry on the New Year tradition of eating twelve grapes. We usually gather at a family member’s house with things to drink and delicious foods to eat, such as potatoes, soup, meats, and much more. People tend to make New Year’s Eve resolutions to set their goals for the upcoming year. We count down to the second when the clock is about to hit twelve. Then, when it finally strikes twelve, we stand up and hug each other as a sign of love and wish everyone good luck as a renewed life cycle begins. We also have a champagne toast in celebration! Even small children stay up until twelve! It is a special occasion, so people dress up in fancy clothes, like dresses or a tie, and makeup. Some people light fireworks while others enjoy watching the display of lights and fire that signals the end of a year. Most big cities have marvelous firework displays to mark the beginning of the new year.

After the holiday passes, we all experience a bit of a lapse. It usually takes some time to get used to writing the new date since we get so used to writing 2021.

Make sure to get a fresh start for 2022.

We hope you accomplish your goals for the new year!