Welcoming the New Year: Customs Around Europe

Online, December 29, 2009 (Newswire.com) - Traditionally, on the stroke of midnight, the English open the back door to let the old year out and ask the first dark haired man to be seen to come through the front door carrying salt, coal and bread. Different countries have different customs, mostly related to good luck! HolidayCheck is happy to guide you through the most unusual New Year traditions around Europe.

Das Bleigießen (literally 'lead pouring') is an old German practice. A small amount of lead is melted in a tablespoon and then poured into a bowl or bucket of water. The resulting pattern is interpreted to predict the coming year. A heart or ring shape means a wedding, a ship a journey. If the lead forms a ball, that means luck will roll your way. The shape of an anchor means help in need.

Probably the most spicy custom takes place in Italy. Both men and women traditionally wear red underclothes which are said to bring good luck in the coming year. To ensure happy relationships in the new year, a romantic night on New Year's Eve is also 'necessary'. A traditional dish served on this night is lentils and cotechino or zampone, both types of pork: they symbolise abundance in life and fortune.

Special value is given to the food served on New Year's Eve in the Czech Republic. It must be ensured that no animal meat ends up in the pan. Why? Because they once had legs, and the the luck would hop or fly away! Fish dishes are just as unpopular, due to the fear that luck could swim away. This is why the Czechs will often eat lentils or soup with small peas. According to tradition, a person can thus ensure a good financial situation for the entire coming year.

New Year Eve is quite a big event in Russia. Not only Russians traditionally decorate a tree and exchange gifts on the 31st December, just like most of the world does during Christmas, but it is celebrated twice! The tradition of the Old New Year has been in fact kept and Russia, together with the other 11 countries of the former Soviet Union, raise a glass also on 14th January.

In Spain, one grape at each stroke leading up to midnight (12 grapes for the next calendar year), is eaten for good luck. If the grape for the corresponding month is sweet, so goes that month. If, however, the grape is sour, don't expect a good month. No matter what they taste like, unless you chew very fast, by the stroke of midnight you will end up with a mouthful of grapes!

In Denmark it is a good sign to find your door entrance heaped with a pile of broken dishes. Old dishes are saved year around and thrown at the doors of friends' homes for good luck. Finding a big pile of broken dishes on the morning of January 1 means you have lots of friends and that you'll have good relationships throughout the year.