Good Luck in the New Year
From Giftypedia
Traditionally, it is thought that a person could change their luck upon the New Year by the first thing they did or ate. For that reason, it has become common for people to celebrate the first few minutes of the New Year in the company of family and friends.
Many cultures believe that anything in the shape of a ring is good luck because it symbolizes a "full circle", completing a year's cycle. The Dutch believe eating donuts on New Year's Day will bring good fortune. In Spain and Puerto Rico each person eats twelve grapes, one on each chime of the clock at midnight; eating the grapes is believed to bring good luck for the coming year. In Asian countries such as Vietnam, South Korea, Hong Kong and Singapore, a gift of cash is presented in a red envelope.
Some folks believe that by consuming fish on this holiday will enable them to swim through the New Year!
Greens, representing money, are commonly used in dishes with the hope of wealth for the coming year. Collard greens, mustard greens, kale, and cabbage are used. Combining pork with these dishes symbolizes prosperity. Many parts of the US celebrate the New Year by eating black-eyed peas, as this is thought to represent coins and wealth. In some regions, rice is the lucky food that's eaten on New Year's.
Others believe that you should have coins in your pocket or purse and all debts should be paid by the end of the year. If you do, you will have financial success.
Another good luck custom is to wear something new on New Year's Eve. You don't have to buy an entire outfit, it's enough to have one new item.
It is also a very well known New Year's custom to make lots of noise on the night between years. This way, it is said that the old year is getting scared and runs away making room for the new one. Some believe that ringing a bell will bring you good fortune.
The first visitor of the New Year is said to bring either good luck or bad luck. If the first person who visits is a tall, dark-haired man, he will bring good luck to the house and hosts.
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