How to Have the Best New Year’s Any Where in the World

Kathleen Corrigan | December 29, 2017

Bread smacking in Ireland

Like many other cultures, the Irish are worried about bad luck and evil spirits at the start of the New Year. They believe that smacking a loaf of bread against the wall will not only drive spirits away but will ensure they have plenty of bread to eat next year.

Burning scarecrows in Ecuador

In Ecuador, they celebrate the end of the “año Viejo” (old year) and welcome the new by burning effigies of public figures, politicians, and pop culture icons in order to burn away the bad of the year that’s passed.

Ice cream dropping in Switzerland

In what sounds like a waste of perfectly good ice cream, Swiss tradition dictates that you should welcome the upcoming year by dropping a scoop of ice cream on the floor.

Calendar shredding in Uruguay

In Uruguay, they do out with old and in with the new on Dec 31^st by shredding up last year’s calendar and tossing the pieces out the window like confetti.

Polar dipping in Canada

There’s no better way to cure your New Year’s Eve hangover than to take a polar dip on New Year’s Day. This Canadian tradition of jumping into icy cold water for charity on January 1^st will make you feel terribly cold, but give you a warm, do-good feeling on the inside.

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