Most Latinos will tell you that the best thing about the holidays is the food, but the older relatives will tell you that the best thing is trying to keep the traditions alive. Latinos have tons of traditions and rituals they do over the holidays, especially to say goodbye to the old year and welcome the New Year.
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Perez Hilton posted a photo days after Christmas on how he doesn’t believe in giving his children all their presents on Christmas day. Instead he gives them one toy a week, so that he can understand the concept of consequences and hard work.
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It really varies from home to home and there are many fun traditions that have been passed on from generation to generation. Some swear by these, but others doubt their effect, but still do them because their mothers tell them to!
Grapes: Various Latin American countries from Cuba to Mexico eat 12 grapes for each month of the year and one for good luck. You eat the 12 grapes and make a wish every time you eat one.
Undies: If you want to find love in the New Year, you’re supposed to wear red underwear to attract a mate. You wear yellow for good luck and fortune.
Suitcase: If you want to travel this year, you have to take out your suitcase from your closet and travel in a circle or around the block. Weird, but true.
Lentils: In Chile people eat lentils when the clock strikes midnight and in Mexico you throw dried lentils over your head to attract good fortune.
Wool lamb: In Mexico and other Latin American countries, you hang a toy lamb from your front door to attract the good fortune. The lamb’s back has to face the door so that the fortune comes in through the door.
Coins: In Ecuador you hide money around the house, which is supposed to attract prosperity and good fortune. In other countries holding on to silver in your hand at midnight also brings good fortune.
Burning dolls: In Ecuador people have dummies called “Año Viejos,” which means “Old Years” that they burn in representation of the bad memories of the past year. They are built as famous people or characters (Donal Trump) that they burn at midnight with hopes of change and leaving behind whatever happened the previous year.
Latino New Year’s celebrations are always fun occasions because they are celebrated with apple cider or some other type of traditional beverage, as well as hugs, kisses, and dancing. Latinos are a happy bunch that continue to keep the traditions alive no matter how crazy they may sound. We will continue to eat grapes, throw lentils and run around the block with our empty suitcases because if we don’t then we would feel guilty and scared about not having a good year!