Video: Year End Traditions and Rituals · Global Voices
Juliana Rincón Parra

In Mexico, some people light candles, incense and take herbal “baths” to bring good luck and good fortune for the coming year.In the following video, merchants tell about the best selling New Year's items such as the 7 herb mix, the New Year Good Luck pack with candle, incense, prayer and holy water and then mention how sales have been slow this year. Maybe they'll be lighting some candles for good luck tonight.
Special meals are often traditional: originating in Sandusky Ohio, some people will be partaking in the  German New Year's Eve pretzel tradition. Following, the video recipe:
In Spain, there is the tradition of eating 12 grapes, one for each stroke of midnight. In this video you'll be able to see a family gathered around the table, with the 12 grapes set on skewers as they try to discover the best technique for accomplishing the task of eating one grape per second:
This next family has a slightly different technique, setting them out in front of them as they tune in to the 12 strokes of midnight radio broadcast:
This video from Peru shows the Latin American tradition of running around the block with suitcases to guarantee a new year with lots of travel:
In Moldova, Romania they have the tradition of the straw bear, a dance showing the birth and resurrection of the seasons:
Joy of Ritual has posted on her vlog some of her favorite New Years traditions from all around the world:
For those who observed the New Year tonight, Happy New Year! What are the traditions in your part of the world? Did you celebrate the New Year in a special way? If yours wasn't tonight, when is it? Please feel free to share this information throught the comments!