New Year’s Eve Traditions

As a parent navigating the pain and confusion that can come when a child is struggling with gender-related issues, New Year’s may not feel like something worth celebrating. But sometimes a little perspective — and a bit of history — can offer a different way of seeing the night ahead.

New Year celebrations vary widely across the globe. Some traditions are light-hearted, some symbolic, some centuries old. Many of the customs we still practice today, including making resolutions, trace all the way back 4,000 years to the ancient Babylonians.

Around the world, people welcome the New Year in wonderfully unique ways:

• In Colombia, many wear brand-new yellow underwear and run around the house with a suitcase to invite luck and travel.

• In Denmark, people jump off chairs at midnight to “leap” into the year ahead.

• In Spain, it’s tradition to eat 12 grapes at or before midnight for good fortune.

• In Brazil, people dress in all white and jump seven waves at the beach.

• In Russia, it’s customary to write a wish for the coming year, burn it, mix the ashes into champagne, and drink it before the clock strikes midnight.

• In the Philippines, they wear polka dots and display round fruits on their tables to symbolizes prosperity.

• In Italy, throwing furniture out of the windows symbolizes making space for the new year.

• In Finland, people melt lead and pour it into water to predict the coming year based on the shapes formed.

• In Ecuador, they create and burn effigies of famous figures to get rid of bad luck and welcome the new year.

• In Puerto Rico, before the celebrations, they clean their homes and throw dirty water out of windows to rid themselves of negative energy.

Here in the United States and many other countries, we count down from ten and celebrate with a kiss — a custom rooted in old English and German folklore. Long ago, people believed the first person you encountered in the New Year would set the tone for the year ahead. Over time, that evolved into choosing to share that moment with someone whose presence you want carried into the coming year.

For parents whose children are no longer close or whose relationships feel strained, celebrating may feel impossible. The weight of grief, fear, or uncertainty, can overshadow this day.

But perhaps tonight could be different, even just a little.

Maybe tonight can be about you: your heart, your resilience, your hope.

Maybe trying one small tradition from around the world could bring a moment of lightness or comfort.

Maybe giving yourself permission to take one night off from worry could open just a crack of hope for the year ahead.

Whatever this New Year’s Eve looks like for you, may it hold a moment of peace — and a reminder that healing, connection, and brighter days are still possible.

Happy New Year.