It’s New Year’s Day! 🎉 If you’re curious how the rest of the world rings in the year, and maybe want to try something delightfully bonkers, look no further.
From grapes and plates to fireballs and fruit shapes, these global New Year’s traditions take creativity to a whole other level. We're ranking some of the most interesting traditions we could find based on fun and wackiness.
Try one out and tell us how it went!
Self-inflicted food time trial or good luck ritual?
In Spain, people race to eat 12 grapes, one at each chime of the midnight bells. Each grape is meant to bring good fortune for one month of the coming year. The trick is timing... it’s harder than it sounds!
Want to start the year by breaking everyone’s crockery?
In Denmark, people collect old plates and smash them against friends’ and family’s front doors on New Year’s Eve. It’s believed more broken china equals more luck and good fortune for the coming year. Danes also leap off chairs together at midnight to “jump into January.”
In the Philippines, round shapes are EVERYTHING on New Year’s Eve!
12 round fruits like apples and grapes are displayed or eaten, symbolising coins and wealth. Many people also wear polka dots to attract good luck and prosperity in the coming year.
In Italy, lots of folks wear red pants (or underwear) on New Year’s Eve to attract good luck, love and success in the coming year. The colour red is associated with passion and protection - and hey, if it works… celebrate!
In Japan, Buddhist temples ring bells 108 times on New Year’s Eve in a tradition called Joya no Kane. Each ring represents one of the 108 earthly desires believed to lead to suffering; ringing them away symbolises a fresh spiritual start for the year ahead!!
In Scotland, Hogmanay isn’t just New Year’s Eve - it’s a full-on festival that can stretch over several days. The word “Hogmanay” is synonymous with Scottish New Year celebrations, complete with fireworks, street parties and feasting.
A classic part of Hogmanay is first-footing: the first person to enter a home after midnight is thought to bring luck for the coming year. Traditionally, they’d bring symbolic gifts like whisky, shortbread or coal - all meant to ensure warmth, food and prosperity.
And if you’re into celebratory food with a twist? In Scotland you’ll hear about piping in the haggis, a fun ceremonial moment where the haggis arrives to bagpipes and applause. It’s all about spirit, community, and hearty fare.
Our own spin on this? Our Gluten-Free Steak & Haggis Pie with Dartmoor whisky, inspired by traditional Scottish flavours and elevated with award-winning local whisky... is staying on the menu right through to Burns Night if you fancy extending that Scottish cheer. 🍽️🥃
New Year’s customs are all about symbolism, celebration and fresh starts. Whether it’s eating grapes at speed, smashing plates for good fortune, or welcoming a first-footer with whisky and pie, it’s a reminder that food and ritual go hand in hand around the world.
So pick one, try it out, and let us know how it went. (We’re especially curious about the grapes and plate smashing!!🍇)
Our kitchen may be resting after Christmas and New Year’s madness, but delivery resume from 6th January - with ovens firing again for more gluten-free goodness from your favourite bakery!
