CELEBRATING NEW YEAR’S EVE AROUND THE WORLD : ANOTHER 6 COUNTRIES

7. Haiti: Sharing soup joumou

“January 1 is actually Haitian Independence Day,” says Olivier Joseph, a graduate student at Pritzker School of Medicine in Chicago. Because of that, there’s an important New Year’s traditional meal associated with the holiday. “We eat pumpkin soup, soup joumou, because it was a delicacy that enslaved Black people were not allowed to have. We often go to other people’s houses and bring some of our soup and swap for some of theirs—everyone makes it a little different.”

8. Denmark: Throwing old plates

Chucking plates at your friends usually signals a conversation gone very wrong. In Denmark, however, New Year’s 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 you’ll be.

9. Canada: Going ice fishing

Freezing temps don’t keep Canadians from starting the new year with a winter favorite sport—ice 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 Year’s 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 tamales 

In Mexico families gather to make New Year’s Eve food—specifically tamales, which are corn dough stuffed with meat, cheese, and veggies all wrapped in husks—and then hand them out to loved ones on New Year’s Eve. On New Year’s Day, the warm pockets are often served with menudo, a traditional Mexican soup made from cow’s 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 Year’s Eve. The sugary layers, which look like cookies, are held together with a tasty royal icing.