Enthusiastic New Year's Eve celebrations are usually marked by parades, fireworks, while cheering and ecstatically counting down the seconds to a fresh, bright new year. Some countries however, adopt their own weird and wacky ways to ensure the blossoming of the year ahead.
South Africa:
If you are strolling along the streets of a city in South Africa on New Year’s Eve, you’d better watch your head, as the sky apparently rains furniture and appliances on this day of the year.
Locals throw old furniture and appliances out the windows believing that getting rid of unwanted, expired items in their houses will clear away all the grief and bad memories of the past year.
Denmark:
It seems like nothing can stop Danes from bringing good luck as well as driving away last year’s bad spirits. Hurling a stack of plates and glasses against the doors of relatives’ or friends’ houses surprisingly means they want to keep bonds of loyalty as strong as ever for the next year.
In a light-hearted attempt to welcome the upcoming year, Danes stand on chairs as the clock strikes midnight, and they all jump up in the air collectively. “Leaping” into January is believed to ensure a prosperous new year.
Colombia:
If you are a travel lover, don’t hesitate to head to Colombia on New Year’s Eve as your travel luck is said to increase if you wander aimlessly with an empty suitcase on the night of 31 December.
In Colombia, residents empty their suitcases at the end of each year in hopes of having a travel-filled year.
Thailand:
New Year celebration in Thailand is distinguished with a unique atmosphere. Thai New Year takes place on 13 April where locals engage in a nation-wide water fight for two days.
Songkran, or Thai New Year, is a Buddhist national holiday. Thousands of people take to the streets armed with water blasters and soakers to join the fun-filled day. Additionally, Buddhist statues are washed in temples and in homes as a cleansing ritual to kick off a new year with a clean spirit.
Siberia:
In Siberia, some locals decide not to take the easy way out to rid themselves of the year’s unpleasant memories. Siberian custom requires braving the cold weather and taking the plunge into a frozen lake while carrying a New Year’s tree to plant under the ice.
Ireland:
The Irish seem more romantic than the above mentioned. Finding the love of your life has never been easier. Single ladies of Ireland place mistletoe leaves under their pillows on New Year’s Eve hoping the coming year brings them their future husbands. Also, some Irish believe that this custom can have a joyous spell on the months ahead in general.
