The New Year is the holiday shared by more countries than any other. And if traveling you hopefully get to experience the local holiday traditions. While customs  range from kissing at midnight to jumping off chairs, below are several unique New Year traditions from around the globe.

In India it’s believed that what you want to happen in the coming year you should do on January 1st. For example if you want to have work you should spend time on New Years working.

Mexicans have a tradition of eating 12 grapes and making 12 wishes at midnight. The grapes symbolize prosperity in the coming months of the year.

In Japan on New Years a meal is served consisting of long soba noodles, which should be eaten without breaking the noodle to ensure having a long life.

Italians thrown pots, pans, and dishes out of open windows to symbolize getting rid of the old to make way for the new.

In Denmark people leap off chairs to “jump” into the New Year.

My favorite custom, Also from Mexico, is the wearing of yellow or red underwear to bring either money (yellow) or love (red) into their lives in the coming year.

However you celebrate we hope the new year brings you many happy times and travels.

We’d love to hear what traditions you celebrate with your family and friends for the new year?