6. Banging on People’s Doors with a Loaf of Bread in Ireland
oboudaoffers.com
New Year’s Eve is a big deal in Ireland, with family gatherings, galas, and charming street parties— and the Irish definitely know how to throw a party! Besides, the country is well-known for its centuries-old traditions and superstitions, one of which seems especially silly to the foreigners. This particular tradition involves banging on doors and walls of houses with Christmas bread. The custom was initially performed in the hope of having enough bread in the New Year, but then its meaning got extended and nowadays, it is thought to chase the bad luck out and bring good spirits to the household. Another thing the Irish care about on New Year’s Day, besides having enough bread to bang on doors with, is who the first person to cross the threshold of their home on that day is. Everybody prays that it isn’t a young, ginger-haired girl, as she is believed to bring nothing but grief and hardship to the home.
5. The Cemetery Sleepover in Chile
thephuketnews.com
Perhaps one of the most bizarre New Year’s Eve customs ever is the one of a small town in central Chile which sees locals gather at the cemetery on New Year’s Eve. The idea is to welcome the New Year in the company of deceased relatives and loved ones. The tradition was started a couple of centuries ago when a family broke into the graveyard to be near their dead father on the last night of the year. Presently, the town’s mayor opens the gates at 11 pm on New Year’s Eve, and thousands of residents stream into the beautifully lit cemetery to celebrate the coming of the New Year, with classical music playing in the background.
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