15 New Year's Superstitions & Traditions to Bring You Luck

Get a Midnight Kiss

It may seem like kissing someone at midnight is a way to show your excitement for the new year. But actually, it's thought that if you kiss someone you love as the clock strikes midnight, those sentiments will continue for the next 12 months.

Eat 12 Grapes (no more, no less) at Midnight

This food superstition that originated in Spain is meant to bring you luck for the year ahead. Just eat 12 grapes at midnight—one for every month—or put them on a skewer and serve as a fun New Year's Eve cocktail garnish.

Keep Some Extra Cash in Your Wallet

Want to enter a year full of financial prosperity? Then make a run to the ATM so you can fill your wallet with cash. Also, don't loan out any money on New Year's Eve or New Year's Day, and don't start the year with any unpaid debts, or you could set a precedent for the months aheads.

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Fill Up Those Cupboards

Check and see which grocery stores are open on New Year's Eve, because it's considered bad luck to start the new year with bare cupboards (signaling poverty and hardship).

Open Those Doors at Midnight

Actually, just before midnight, so you can let the old year out and welcome the new one. (It doesn't have to be for long—even those who believe in this superstition can get cold!)

Don't Clean the House

We can really get behind this superstition. If you're concerned about "sweeping" or "washing" away any luck coming your way, don't do any cleaning—including dishes and laundry.

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Fill Up on Collard Greens and Black-Eyed Peas

If you want to keep with Southern tradition, eating black-eyed peas and collard greens on New Year's Day will supposedly bring good luck and prosperity, respectively, in the months ahead. Whip up our Braised Greens and Black-Eyed Peas Salad and see what happens!

Avoid the Tears

Save your tears for another day, because crying on New Year's Day could set a year of sadness in motion.

Skip Eating Lobster Even If It's Calling Your Name

You may want to rethink any fancy New Year's Eve food ideas that include lobster. Many cultures believe that eating lobsters before midnight is bad luck because they move backwards, therefore setting you up for a year of setbacks.

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Don't Leave the House...

...until someone enters from the outside first. And who that person is will supposedly will say a lot about the luck you'll have in the new year. (In Scotland, the first person in your home also has to bring you a gift!)

Eat Herring

Whether you like your herring pickled or fresh, eating it in some form at midnight is considered good luck in Germany and Sweden.

Make Some Noise 🎉

You may love buying noisemakers and fireworks to set off at midnight, but did you know the tradition originated from a superstition that making loud noise at midnight would scare evil spirits and omens away?

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Beware of Eating Chicken

Similarly to lobster, chicken is also a superstitious food to eat on New Year's Eve. Because chickens have wings, all your luck could fly away! (But as far as we're concerned, our Crispy Chicken Thighs with Garlic and Rosemary can only add happiness to your life.)

Carry an Empty Suitcase Around

It can just be around your house for a few minutes, but in Colombia, it's seen as setting yourself up for adventures in the new year.

Were You Born on New Year's Day?

Then superstition says you'll automatically be lucky throughout your whole life—even more so if you're born at midnight!

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