“Kissing, Noise, and Grapes: How to Bribe the Universe for a Better Year"

As we tiptoe (or stumble, depending on how December treated you) toward the new year, it’s hard not to think about all the traditions people cling to in hopes of coaxing a little extra luck, joy, and prosperity into the next 365 days. Whether you’re in the good ole USA or halfway across the world, the theme is universal: “Please, 2026… be kind.”

Let’s take a look at some of the most beloved — and delightfully bizarre — New Year’s Eve traditions and superstitions.

One of the most famous is the midnight kiss. According to German and English folklore, the person you kiss at midnight sets the tone for your love life for the entire year. No pressure or anything. Just your romantic destiny hinging on who’s closest when the ball drops. It’s also said to bring good luck, which explains why some people start scanning the room around 11:58 like they’re choosing teams for dodgeball.

Another classic: making noise. Horns, fireworks, those little clacker things that sound like a toddler with a vendetta — all of it is meant to scare off evil spirits and negativity. Basically, it’s the one night a year where being obnoxiously loud is considered a public service.

Food traditions might be the most delicious part of the night. Many cultures swear by round or ring-shaped foods to symbolize the cycle of life and the hope for wealth — because apparently, if it looks like a coin, it counts. In Spain, people eat 12 grapes at midnight, one for each month of the upcoming year. It sounds cute until you try to cram them in before the clock finishes chiming and suddenly you’re fighting for your life.

In the Southern U.S., black-eyed peas and collard greens reign supreme in a dish called Hoppin’ John. The peas represent coins, the greens represent paper money, and the cornbread represents gold. Add pork for forward momentum — pigs root forward, after all — and you’ve basically eaten a financial vision board. Just avoid lobster, whose backward movement is associated with setbacks. Delicious? Yes. Symbolically risky? Also yes.

Around the world, things get even more entertaining. In the Philippines, people wear polka dots because the dots look like coins. In Ireland, they bang bread on the walls to chase away bad luck — and possibly any neighbors who were trying to sleep. Many Latin American countries roll empty suitcases around the block to invite travel in the new year. Italians throw old furniture out the window to say goodbye to the past (hopefully after checking that no one is walking below). And in some places, people fling open doors and windows at midnight to let the old year out and the new one in — like an energetic houseguest swap.

Some folks believe you shouldn’t cry on New Year’s Eve or you’ll set yourself up for a year of sadness. Others say don’t clean or you might sweep away good luck. Honestly, it sounds like the universe is giving us permission to skip chores and avoid emotional breakdowns for one night, and I’m not arguing.

And then there’s the Polar Bear Plunge — a tradition embraced by many, including a branch of my new extended family, the Yachems and the Winkles. They willingly run into freezing water on New Year’s Day to raise money for good causes. It’s brave, it’s generous, and it’s also… very cold. I’ll cheer from the shore with a warm drink, thanks.

Of course, the most popular tradition might be the New Year’s resolution, which dates back over 4,000 years to the Babylonians. They promised to repay debts and return borrowed items. Today, we promise to drink more water and go to the gym, and by January 12th, we’re like, “Well… I tried.”

So, what’s your favorite New Year’s Eve tradition? Is it on this list, or is it something wonderfully weird we at KTCWK need to hear about?

Here’s to thanking 2025 for the good, saying goodbye to the not-so-good, and wishing everyone a blessed 2026. May your chosen tradition bring you joy in the moment — and maybe even a little magic for the year ahead.