5x typical Spanish traditions with New Year's Eve
21.12.2022Spaniards have some special traditions to celebrate New Year's Eve. We would like to go over the 5 most common traditions with New Year's Eve together with you
Red underwear
Spanish lingerie stores are stocked with red underwear this time of year. Not so much intended for romance, but especially important on New Year's Eve.
Nice red sexy bras and panties full of lace and ruffles, almost revealing nightgowns, suspenders, boxer shorts with a roguish Santa Claus. Spicy strings in a nice gift box. Those who wear red lingerie on New Year's Eve are lucky all year round, the Spaniards believe. The color red has a symbolic value, wearing red at the start of the new year is an absolute must, because it will bring you luck
If you really want to get serious, then the red underwear has to be taken off and burned at midnight.
So ladies, are you hoping for some extra luck this coming year? Then don't forget to put on a set of red lingerie! We would like to hear if it worked by the end of next year!
12 grapes
To celebrate the new year, Spaniards eat twelve grapes at midnight – one with each chime of the clock – which should bring prosperity for the next year. The trick is not to chew the grapes or you will end up with a mouth full of grape puree. Just swallow them whole one at a time. The uvas de la suerte (lucky grapes) is a deep-rooted Spanish tradition that dates back to the last century. Eating grapes is not a religious ritual, but has an economic explanation. In the year 1909 so many grapes were harvested that it was decided to consider them as lucky fruits and to eat twelve during the twelve chimes of the new year.
Money
Enforce economic prosperity for the new year? Then you start the year with money in your shoes. Note: you have to put this money in before midnight. According to some, you can also choose to eat the grapes with money in your pocket or use your right hand.
To travel
If you want to travel a lot in the new year, you have to go around the block with your suitcase at midnight. Superstitions are convinced that you have a better chance of making beautiful trips. This tradition is of course not very practical, especially if you first have to eat grapes and burn your underwear.
New Year wishes
Of course the Spaniards also wish each other a happy new year. They first eat the grapes, then toast with a good glass of cava and then wish everyone a good New Year. How? With the words 'feliz año' or 'feliz año nuevo'.