10 new year’s eve traditions

Growing up, most of my family traditions were wrapped up in Christmas. New Year’s Eve never was as full. Except for a single special one, my grandma gave us $2 bills for good luck. As a kid this was such a treasure to me! I kept them all in the drawer of my musical, twirling ballerina jewelry box (anyone else have one?).

As an adult, I’ve picked up traditions from friends. An English friend introduced me to Christmas crackers and an Irish friend to the bold New Year’s swim! Which I haven’t been brave enough to try, yet 😉

It’s made me realize how much I enjoy trying new traditions. They don’t have to be passed down to matter. They can be discovered, borrowed, or created. So heres to adding a little extra luck to 2026 with ten new year’s traditions to try.

jump off a chair: leap into the new year (literally) and banish bad spirits and bring good luck the Danish way.

open the windows: Fresh air, fresh energy. When the clock strikes twelve, open the windows and doors to let the old year out and welcome in the new.

wear red underwear: in Italy and Spain, red underwear is said to bring good luck (and LOVE) on NYE. Although the spaniards insist it must be new.

make noise: scare away the evil spirits by raising the volume. Bang pots and pans, turn up the music, pass around noisemakers, and blow horns. Be as loud as you can, no evil spirits allowed in 2026.

hang onions above the door: in Greek tradition, onions symbolize good luck and fertility. They sprout even when no one is paying attention. An odd but rather fitting metaphor for growth.

make a list of resolutions: A lot of people already do this as a tradition. But what if we took it one step further and named our values we want to uphold in the new year? Values are the foundation of every goal. I love the values deck created by Jamie at The Well Live Woman. It is beautiful and grounding.

auld lang saye: inspired by my fav SATC scene haha. This Scottish tradition is sung right before midnight: everyone stands in a circle holding hands. At the final verse, arms crossed, hands switch, and at the end everyone rushes into the middle like a big group hug! A special way to begin the year, especially with your best people.

suitcase stroll: if your want more adventure in 2026 accessorize with an empty suitcase. Roll an empty suitcase around all night at your party to invite travel and exploration into the year ahead.

eat 12 grapes: another Spanish tradition! Eat one grape with each chime at midnight for good luck in each month of the new year.

wear polka dots: in Filipino tradition, polka dots symbolize coins and prosperity. The more dots, the better!

Maybe it’s not any of those. And it’s something much simpler (something inspired by sss) like eating pizza with your feet up on the table (see photo to your left). Sounds exactly right to me.