Sassy Colombian
Member: Team PoP
New years Eve celebration is very popular in Colombia. It is probably one of the biggest parties of the year and there are many unique traditions that we go through before the end of the year, or right at midnight. This celebration is usually spend with the whole family and the essence of our traditions is to surround oneself with all the things one wants to have next year. In our family eating 12 grapes, cleaning the house and having cash on hand are always a NYE routine. My mom is also big into the yellow panties tradition. In the past we have also taken a suit case around the block and have burned the ‘old year’ doll.
Share with me what traditions do you practice in your countries on NYE? Is your family following any traditions this year to celebrate the end of 2020?
Below are 10 of Colombia's New Year traditions.
1- Eating 12 grapes at midnight. As the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve it is traditional in Colombia to eat one grape per chime – so 12 grapes in all – and make a wish each time you eat a grape
2- Wearing yellow underwear on New Year’s
Eve. In order to guarantee an upcoming year of love and happiness
3- Taking your suitcase around the block If you really want your New Year to be 12 months of travel and adventure
4- Cleaning your house on December 31st, Getting the duster and brush out on the 31st to ensure that one leaves all negative thoughts and bad memories behind and start the New Year with a clean slate
5- Burning the ‘old year’ doll. This one is quite similar to burning the Guy on Bonfire Night, a doll-like effigy is prepared – which is named Año Nuevo or New Year – and stuffed with fireworks.
6- Having some hard cash, either in ones hand or pocket if one wants financial security and stability in the upcoming year.
7- Having wheat on the tables. It is traditional to make sure that the table is decorated with shafts of wheat – generally, 12 is the right number. By doing this, one ensures that the New Year will be bountiful and there will be an abundance of food to eat
8- Putting the right foot forward
In order to fill the New Year with positive vibes and ensure that one makie nothing but good decisions, then the first step one should take after midnight needs to be with the right foot
9- Taking a bath in the river. This apparently rids the body of bad energies for the year to come.
10- Filling one pockets with lentils on the 31st in order to guarantee that the following year is a bountiful one
Share with me what traditions do you practice in your countries on NYE? Is your family following any traditions this year to celebrate the end of 2020?
Below are 10 of Colombia's New Year traditions.
1- Eating 12 grapes at midnight. As the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve it is traditional in Colombia to eat one grape per chime – so 12 grapes in all – and make a wish each time you eat a grape
2- Wearing yellow underwear on New Year’s
Eve. In order to guarantee an upcoming year of love and happiness
3- Taking your suitcase around the block If you really want your New Year to be 12 months of travel and adventure
4- Cleaning your house on December 31st, Getting the duster and brush out on the 31st to ensure that one leaves all negative thoughts and bad memories behind and start the New Year with a clean slate
5- Burning the ‘old year’ doll. This one is quite similar to burning the Guy on Bonfire Night, a doll-like effigy is prepared – which is named Año Nuevo or New Year – and stuffed with fireworks.
6- Having some hard cash, either in ones hand or pocket if one wants financial security and stability in the upcoming year.
7- Having wheat on the tables. It is traditional to make sure that the table is decorated with shafts of wheat – generally, 12 is the right number. By doing this, one ensures that the New Year will be bountiful and there will be an abundance of food to eat
8- Putting the right foot forward
In order to fill the New Year with positive vibes and ensure that one makie nothing but good decisions, then the first step one should take after midnight needs to be with the right foot
9- Taking a bath in the river. This apparently rids the body of bad energies for the year to come.
10- Filling one pockets with lentils on the 31st in order to guarantee that the following year is a bountiful one
