This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

New Year's Traditions Around the World

Check out what other countries do to celebrate the big day.

We're all familiar with the traditions of our new year. We find a cool party, rock out and stay up super late on New Year's Eve.  We watch the ball drop with Dick Clark, yet again, usually with the help of a few beverages.  We seek out a first kiss for when the clock strikes 12.

And aside from all-day football and hangovers on Jan. 1, we ponder life-changing goals and resolutions that seem to be made only to be broken.

The New Year holiday isn't just for Americans, though. Countries around the world have their own traditions, and superstitions, tied to this first night.

Find out what's happening in Enumclawwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Most are probably familiar with the Chinese New Year, a 15-day celebration that begins on Jan. 23 this year, ushering in the year of the Dragon.  Symbolically marking the end of winter, the Chinese New Year is considered the most traditional Chinese holiday.

This centuries' old festivity is full of custom and tradition including thoroughly cleaning the house to sweep away any ill-fortune, decorating in red to symbolize good fortune, happiness and longevity and setting off firecrackers to scare away evil spirits. A large feast is also served on the eve -- including special foods that carry further superstition.

Find out what's happening in Enumclawwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Some may also be familiar with the traditions of Scotland.  Calling their new year celebration Hogmanay, the Scottish observe a "first foot" tradition waiting for the first guest to enter the home after midnight as a way to predict their fortune for the upcoming year.  A dark-haired man is considered the bearer of good luck and prosperity.  Also, Scotland is known as the birthplace of the song Auld Lang Syne, meaning "old long since," which is credited to traditional Scottish folk poet Robert Burns.

Other notable traditions:

Danish traditionalist will find a doorstep of broken dishes on New Year's Day. They are trown at the door through the night; the more broken pieces you have, it is thought the greater the number of friendships.

Spaniards celebrate the clock striking 12 by challenging themselves to eat 12 grapes before the final ringing of midnight.

Dutch culture holds bonfires of Christmas trees to signal the cleaning and purging of the old year.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

More from Enumclaw