13 Things to do for Good Luck on New Years

This post may contain affiliate links and ads. Read our disclosure policy here.

With the new year fast approaching, it is time to start thinking about how we can bring some luck into the new year. Throughout the years, you have probably been given the advice to do this or to do that on New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day so that you have good luck in the next year.

Things to do for Good Luck on New Years

There are a lot of superstitions, old wives tales, and folklore that many of us still believe will bring us some good luck on New Year’s. So, get those world-famous good luck meals ready to go and get prepared to do these things so that you can bring in some good luck for the next year.

Eat Your Greens

Eating greens like cabbage or spinach will not only help you start your diet off right for the new year, but it is believed that eating these on New Year’s Eve will also bring you some luck with money. Eating greens is believed to give you good financial luck because they look like money, so be sure to have at least one bite of kale, spinach, or cabbage as you ring in the new year.

The Stroke of Midnight Kiss

A very popular tradition that we often follow for New Year’s, the New Year’s Eve kiss is supposed to help bring you love and affection for the year. At the stroke of midnight, kissing your partner has been believed to give you luck in love. Not kissing your beloved is said to give you the opposite effect.

Open the Windows and Doors

When the clock strikes at midnight, the saying says that if you open all your windows and doors, you will help usher out the old year so that you can you properly bring in the new year.

Burn a Bayberry Candle for Good Luck

Some say that lighting a bayberry candle (tapered works best) before midnight on Christmas Eve or New Year’s Eve can bring good luck and prosperity in the new year.

One hitch – you must light the candle BEFORE midnight AND you must let it burn out on its own. (You should not go to bed with a candle still burning, so my advice is to use a small candle OR light the candle well in advance of midnight.) Want to gift a Bayberry Candle? Include this cute printable Bayberry poem with the candle!

Wear Red Underwear (Lucky in Love!)

This superstition is for those looking for love or romance. The superstition suggests that wearing red underwear will bring you love and new relationships.

Clean Your House at Midnight

There’s an old legend from China that says cleaning your house on New Year’s Eve will help you clean out any negativity. A similar superstition in Italy, once the clock strikes midnight on January 1st, toss a few belongings out the window to bring in some positive vibes for the new year.

Some though believe in the opposite. Some lore says that you should avoid doing the dishes, taking out the trash, or even doing laundry. If you do these things, you will ward off any good luck that may come your way.

Eat Herring

In German folklore, it is said that eating herring at the stroke of midnight will bring you some good luck for the year to come. The Polish have a similar belief, but their version is that eating pickled herring as your first food will give you some luck for the new year.

Eat Black Eyed Peas and Collard Greens

In the southern states, it is believed that if you eat black eyed peas and collard greens on New Year’s Day, it will bring you wealth and fortune. The greens being for good luck for money and the peas bringing you good luck for fortune.

Get Down with the Noise Makers

Throughout the world, many believe that loud noises can help you ward of evil spirits which is why we celebrate with parties on New Year’s. If you’re at home for this special holiday, go on and make some noise by screaming, cheering, or banging some pots and pans to send those evil spirits out the door. If you are already out celebrating, get a little louder!

Eat Grapes at Midnight

In Spain, one New Year’s Eve tradition is to eat 12 grapes at the stroke of midnight. The lore suggests that if you can finish your 12 grapes before the clock hits 12:01 am, then good luck will come your way in the new year.

Sidenote: My mom told me that she tried this on New Year’s Eve as the clock struck midnight and the new year (1980) began. She said that she had heard that you were supposed to make a wish on each grape as you ate it. She was desperately hoping that ’80 would bring her first baby, and apparently she wished for that baby on every single grape. Guess who arrived 9 months later? ME!

Wake Up Early on New Year’s Day

After a wild night of celebrating the New Year, you don’t want to sleep in! A Polish tradition says that you want to wake up early so that you will wake up early easily the rest of the year.

Put Cash in Your Wallet

Doing so just before midnight will give you some luck when it comes to wealth, according to the superstition. Another money superstition is that if you loan money to someone on New Year’s, it will mean that throughout the next year, more money will be going out.

Carry A Suitcase

In Columbia, tradition suggests that carrying an empty suitcase on New Year’s Eve will bring you more travel opportunities in the new year.

Whether or not you believe in the old traditions, folk lore, or superstitions many follow today, it doesn’t hurt to try right? We can always use some extra luck for the next year and many of these things are easy to do.

Did you hear of or follow any superstitions when you were younger, or do you follow any special New Year’s superstitions each year? Drop us a comment and tell us about it!

PIN THIS POST TO PINTEREST!