Many of us are looking forward to the New Year. New Year symbolizes new beginnings, plans, expectations, and hopes. We all have got our own New Year traditions. But what about national traditions in America USA, Germany, and Mexico? Three different countries, three different New Year traditions.

New Year Traditions in the USA

It all starts with New Year’s Eve, on the 31st of December. Many Americans get ready in November. They buy gifts, set up Christmas trees at home, make plans, and write resolutions. 

There are some New Year traditions that Americans follow strictly. 

#1 – Times Square Ball Drop

It is considered to be the most popular tradition in the USA! People gather in New York City’s Times Square late in the evening to watch how a huge ball is being dropped at midnight. This tradition was “founded” in 1907. 

Many towns and cities in America have evolved their own interpretations of this tradition, dropping something at midnight. For example, in Dillsburg, Pennsylvania, they drop pickles, and in Tallapoosa, Georgia – possums, which is called “Possum Drop.” Isn’t it crazy?

#2 – Writing Resolutions 

Probably, you have heard about this one. But did you know that it is an American tradition? 

Just before the New Year, people sit down and write a list with plans and goals for the upcoming year, with the hope of being better and more successful the next year. 

#3 – Midnight Countdown

People gather together and count down the last seconds of the year out loud. After that, they toast, usually with a glass of wine, and kiss. By the way, there is a kissing tradition!

#4 – Kissing tradition

At midnight, people kiss. Americans believe that it will protect them from evil spirits, and they will not be lonely the next year.

American New Year Greetings:

Happy New Year!

Happy and joyful New Year! 

Cheers to the New Year!

New Year Traditions in Mexico

Perhaps, the most famous tradition is eating 12 grapes at midnight and making 12 wishes. However, what about other interesting traditions?

#1 – Throwing a Bucket of Water Out the Window

Mexicans throw a bucket of water out of your window, which means renewal. 

#2 – Sweeping

It is believed that if you sweep, you will have good fortune in the new year. You sweep all the bad things out of your house and life. 

#3 – Sweep coins

People sweep coins. They drop 12 coins outside of a doorstep, take a broom, and sweep the coins into the house. This ritual symbolizes prosperity. 

#4 – Colored Underwear

Women put on red underwear if they want to attract love and passion. But if they want to “attract” prosperity and happiness, they put on yellow underwear. In addition, yellow underwear is worn for prosperity, green for wealth, and white for peace and hope.

#5 – A ring in a glass

Mexicans put a ring in a glass with champagne to have good fortune in love and with money. But they do not take the ring out until after they finish their drink. They must hug everyone in the room to make it work. 

#6 – Packing a suitcase

To bring good luck with traveling, Mexicans pack their suitcases or bags. They go outside with it. For example, around their house or around their neighborhood. If there is no opportunity to go outdoors, they put a suitcase in the middle of a room and go around it. Isn’t it fun?

Mexican New Year Greetings:

¡Feliz Año Nuevo! – Happy New Year!

¡Muy feliz Año Nuevo! – Happy and joyful New Year! 

¡Brindemos por el Año Nuevo! – Cheers to the New Year!

New Year Traditions in Germany

Germany also has its own interesting New Year traditions. Here are some of them:

#1 – Drive Away Evil Spirits with Loud Noises 

Germans believe that loud noises make evil spirits go away. That is why they tend to make noises on New Year’s Eve. People may use crackers that are loud too.

#2 – Offer Lucky Charms 

Lucky charms bring good luck. That is why people give them as gifts. 

#3 – Rummelpottlaufen

Locals go from door to door, singing silly songs and asking for treats. Germans wear masks and costumes while playing a friction drum (Rummelpott).

#4 – “Dinner for One”

 “Dinner for One” is an English comedy sketch. It was filmed in 1963. Germans watch it on New Year’s Eve. It is a funny sketch about an old lady, who celebrates her 90th birthday and her butler. This tradition dates back to 1963. 

It’s interesting to know that there is a satire – “Euros for No One.” It’s a 3-minute satirical version starring Angela Merkel and the French president at the time, M. Sarkozy

By the way, in Germany, New Year’s Eve is called Silvester as it is named after Pope Silvester, who was a pope of the Catholic Church (314 – 335).

German New Year Greetings:

Frohes Neues Jahr! – Happy New Year!

Einen guten Rutsch ins neue Jahr! – A smooth start to the new year!

Alles Gute zum Neuen Jahr! – Best wishes for the new year!

General New Year Conversation Starters:

• Do you celebrate New Year in your country? – ¿Celebras el Año Nuevo en tu país? – Feiern Sie Neujahr in Ihrem Land?
•  How do you usually celebrate New Year? – ¿Cómo sueles celebrar el Año Nuevo? – Wie feiern Sie normalerweise Neujahr? 
•  Do you write New Year’s resolutions? If yes, could you share some with us? –  ¿Escribes propósitos para el Año Nuevo? Si es así, ¿podrías compartir algunos de ellos con nosotros? – Schreiben Sie Neujahrsvorsätze? Wenn ja, dann schreiben Sie einige von denen in Kommentaren.
• What do you usually do on New Year’s Eve? – ¿Qué sueles hacer en Año Nuevo? – Was machen Sie normalerweise an Silvester?
• Do you usually look forward to New Year? – ¿Sueles esperar con anhelo la llegada del Año Nuevo? – Freuen Sie sich normalerweise auf Neujahr?

When you answer these questions, remember to use Present Simple. As here, we talk about actions that usually happen. 

It is a great opportunity to practice your speaking skill and improve your vocabulary!

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Used sources:

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ALEX ALVAREZ, A. L. E. X. (n.d.). 15 Curious Latino New Year’s Eve Traditions. ABC News. Retrieved December 16, 2022, from https://abcnews.go.com/ABC_Univision/Entertainment/15-curious-latino-years-eve-traditions/story?id=18076784

German holiday greetings: How to greet merry christmas and happy New Year in German. My Daily German. (2021, November 19). Retrieved December 16, 2022, from https://mydailygerman.com/german-holiday-greetings/

History.com Editors. (2010, February 16). New Year’s. History.com. Retrieved December 16, 2022, from https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/new-years

How to say happy New Year in Spanish in 12 Classic Ways. Berlitz. (n.d.). Retrieved December 16, 2022, from https://www.berlitz.com/blog/happy-new-year-spanish-traditions

Norris Rebecca Norris is a full-time freelance writer living in the DC metro area., R. (2022, December 12). Ring in 2023 with these classic New Year’s traditions. The Pioneer Woman. Retrieved December 16, 2022, from https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/holidays-celebrations/g34787153/new-years-traditions/

sandbox_elsqo7. (2022, October 13). 9 Mexican New Year traditions. El Jalisco. Retrieved December 16, 2022, from https://www.eljalisco.com/9-mexican-year-traditions/