Sunday: Entertainment–Entertaining the Kids on New Years Eve

(Picutre of the first time the ball dropped in NYC—1907)

New Year’s Eve, to be honest, has been pretty lame-o most of my life! I am looking for some fun traditions and activities to start with my family. Here are some fun ideas from other countries on how they celebrate New Year’s Eve.

Spain

The Spanish ritual on New Year’s eve is to eat twelve grapes at midnight. The tradition is meant to secure twelve happy months in the coming year.

The Netherlands

The Dutch burn bonfires of Christmas trees on the street and launch fireworks. The fires are meant to purge the old and welcome the new. How fun would it be to have a fire pit with friends, roast up some S’mores!

Peru

Peru celebrates a unique tradition on the last day of the year. Elaborate effigies, called Años Viejos (Old Years) are created to represent people and events from the past year. Often these include political characters or leaders that the creator of the effigy may have disagreed with. The dummies are made of straw, newspaper, and old clothes, with papier-mâché masks. Often they are also stuffed with fire crackers. At midnight the effigies are lit on fire to symbolize burning away of the past year and welcoming of the new year.

Yellow underwear: One of the most popular traditions, yellow underwear are said to attract positive energies for the New Year.

Suitcase: Walking around the block with the suitcase will bring the person the journey of their dreams. 

Germany

Germans call New Year’s Eve Silvester. Since 1972, each New Year’s Eve, several German television stations broadcast a short English theatrical performance titled Dinner for One.

Mexico

Mexicans down a grape with each of the twelve chimes of the bell during the New Year countdown, while making a wish with each one. On New Year’s Eve, those who want to find love in the new year wear red underwear and yellow if they want money

I love the idea of eating twelve grapes to secure happy times to come, rining a bell twelve times while making a wish and walking around the block with a suitcase! What about you?

Tags: entertainment, new years eve, sunday

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