This New Year’s celebrations on 31st December will look very different around the world. But celebrating with others is a treat that makes the new start joyful. Remeber it’s our new year but for others that is a very differnt date. Chinese New Year on 10th February 2024. And 2024 is the year of the Dragon. The dragon symbolizes strength, power, and good fortune. People born in this year are confident and ambitious. The Dragon’s energy in 2024 brings a boost to career and finances. If you were born in the year of the dragon you would have been born in 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2021 and 2024.
Generally, whenever they take place, New Year traditions are designed to bring luck and good fortune for the year ahead. We make plans and resolutions. And all over the world, as different countries hit midnight fireworks would be a usual spectacle – but this year’s restrictions will stop us gathering in crowds, but many places will still set them off so they can be seen from wherever you are.
Here are a few nice traditions to try
New Year in Denmark
People smash plates at midnight to spread good luck. Often you do this on a family or friends’ doorstep to bring them good luck all through the year to come! Don’t use the best china any old plate will do and make sure you leave a note if you give it a go, as the confusion the next day may not be welcomed. Watch our if they have pets as well.
New Year in Spain
We spent New Year in Spain in 2009/10 and as the clock in the square struck midnight you had to eat 12 grapes – one for every bell. It is so much harder than you think. A lady in the street tipped us off that it is practically impossible if the grapes have pips (or bones, as she called them). Pop 12 seedless gems in a small container and hand out one to each family member and make this a new family tradition.
But in Romania
People dress up as dancing bears to chase away any evil spirits. Romanian folk stories say bears are special creatures that protect and heal people. Kids love to dress up and so making costumes with them and telling stories is a lovely way to spend the time between Christmas and New Year. Then you can have a Teddy Bears Picnic.
And in Japan and South Korea
Japan and South Korea, ring bells to start the New Year. A noisy start and if you’ve had a big night, so this might not be for everyone – but again you could weave it into our own family traditions. We’ve hung bells all over the house in preparation. We found them second-hand and they are all different and have their own melodic sounds. We plan that on New Years Day we will time each other to see who can ring all the bells the fastest!
Every new year, at midnight, we don’t make resolutions. We ask each other these questions. What are you going to do this year for you? What are you going to do for others? And, what are you going to do for the planet?
Whatever you do this New Year, be safe and spend it together planning what you want from 2024! Happy New Year from us all at Rumage!