There are many traditions all around the world on New Year’s Eve to bring a year of good luck. Although these traditions are used all around the world, they are the most common in Spain as well as originated in Spain.  

The first tradition to bring you a year of good luck is eating twelve grapes at midnight on New Years eve. In Madrid, Spain many people gather at the Puerta de Sol, where the festivities take place. Other people who were unable to make it watched it on T.V. At midnight, the Reloj de la Communidad de Madrid tolls twelve times. After each toll you must eat one grape and finish chewing it before the next chime. If you do not finish eating your twelve grapes by the time the twelfth chime goes off, you are not granted good luck for the year. If you do finish your twelve grapes you do get good luck for the upcoming year. Holly Haberlin, a freshman here, ate twelve grapes at midnight on New Years eve and has been having a good year so far. “Three years ago, I started eating twelve grapes at midnight and ever since my years have been much better. I ate my twelve grapes this year and have had a good January so far.” Another freshman Maggie O’Neill also ate her grapes this year and has the same thing to say. “I ate my grapes this year and this has been my luckiest January yet.” Many people in Spain and in other countries partake in this tradition to get a year of good luck.  

Another tradition to bring good luck is wearing different colored underwear for luck in different areas of life. Wearing red underwear is said to help you find love in the year you wear that underwear into. Many people wear red underwear every year waiting for their year that this tradition will bring them to their soulmate. Another color underwear worn is yellow. Yellow underwear is said to give people luck with finding jobs and making more money. Many people use one or both traditions to help them have the best year possible.