More Than Just A Kiss: Best and Bizarre New Year’s Superstitions

Many of the activities we do on New Year’s Eve are longstanding traditions that we often do without much thought. But, do you know how many of your favorite celebratory pursuits (such as kissing your crush as the clock strikes 12) began as a way of ensuring you have a good year ahead?

Whether or not superstitions are your thing, it is believed that however you spend your New Year’s and whoever you spend it with, will give you insight to the upcoming year.

What to Do For Good Luck

Kiss at Midnight

Kissing at midnight has been so normalized that it seems like an obvious thing to do, but this kiss is supposed to ensure that the affection continues for the next 12 months.

Fill your Refrigerator and Pantry

A bare kitchen symbolizes poverty and deprivation. Although we are in the middle of pandemic and times are still hard for many, if you can, it is recommended to take a trip to your nearest grocery store to stock your fridge.

Cleaning on New Years Eve

Cleaning on New Year’s Eve is detrimental. You should purge all things from the previous year that no longer serve you. Dust all surfaces, sweep and mop, vacuum, and launder all clothes and bedding. This is thought to rid of any old energy that may be lingering around.

Put Cash in Your Wallet

With most stores sticking to a card-only system for sanitation reasons due to the pandemic, you may not have any cash in your wallet, so now’s the time to take a trip to the ATM. Keeping cash in your wallet is thought to bring forth wealth in the coming year.

Open the Doors and Windows at Midnight

Now, yes, we know how cold it is, but just before midnight, you can send the old year out your door (and windows for extra precaution). If you insist on getting extra spiritual, you can add a smudge stick to purify your space.

Eat Collard Greens and Black-Eyed Peas

It’s good ol’ Southern tradition to eat collard greens and black-eyed peas on New Year’s Day for prosperity in the coming year.

Make Some Noise

Much like kissing at midnight, noisemakers and fireworks seem like an obvious response to celebrating the new year. But what not many people realize is that this tradition began as a way to scare away any evil spirits.

Being Born on New Year’s Day (Especially at Midnight)

Those that are born on New Year’s Day, are thought to be extremely lucky beings.

What to Do to Avoid Bad Luck

Leaving the House

Wait for someone to enter from the outside first before leaving the house.

Crying

Crying on New Year’s Day is thought to ensure a year of sadness.

Eating Lobster or Chicken

Eating lobsters before New Year’s is thought to be bad luck because the crustaceans move backwards—symbolizing a year of setbacks. Whereas eating chicken before New Year’s is thought to be bad luck for two reasons—all good luck flying away and that you’ll be scratching in the dirt (impoverished) this next coming year.

No Cleaning on New Year’s Day

Hopefully you did all of your cleaning on New Year’s Eve, but if you missed the chance, avoid all cleaning (including dishes and laundry) on New Year’s Day. By cleaning on New Year’s Day, you may wash away any good luck coming your way.