7. Haiti: Sharing soup joumou
âJanuary 1 is actually Haitian Independence Day,â says Olivier Joseph, a graduate student at Pritzker School of Medicine in Chicago. Because of that, there’s an important New Yearâs traditional meal associated with the holiday. âWe eat pumpkin soup, soup joumou, because it was a delicacy that enslaved Black people were not allowed to have. We often go to other peopleâs houses and bring some of our soup and swap for some of theirsâeveryone makes it a little different.â
8. Denmark: Throwing old plates
Chucking plates at your friends usually signals a conversation gone very wrong. In Denmark, however, New Yearâs Eve traditions like this bring your loved ones the best luck. Tradition has it that the more broken kitchenware you accumulate on your door step, the better off youâll be.
9. Canada: Going ice fishing
Freezing temps donât keep Canadians from starting the new year with a winter favorite sportâice fishing. According to Global News, families will rent heated huts and cooking equipment so that they can enjoy their feast with loved ones on the spot.
10. Philippines: Serving 12 round fruits
On New Yearâs Eve, families in the Philippines make sure to serve 12 round fruits, like apples, grapes, and plums, which are believed to represent prosperity due to their shape, which mirrors coins. As for the lucky number, each fruit represents one month out of the year.
11. Mexico: Giving the gift of homemade tamalesÂ
In Mexico families gather to make New Yearâs Eve foodâspecifically tamales, which are corn dough stuffed with meat, cheese, and veggies all wrapped in husksâand then hand them out to loved ones on New Yearâs Eve. On New Yearâs Day, the warm pockets are often served with menudo, a traditional Mexican soup made from cowâs stomach.
12. Norway and Denmark: Celebrating with a towering cake
Kransekake, a traditional ringed cake often made with at least 18 layers, is eaten in both Denmark and Norway on New Yearâs Eve. The sugary layers, which look like cookies, are held together with a tasty royal icing.