Celebrate a new year with Colombian traditions! Colombians prepare for this fresh start to the year with different dinners, celebrations, and New Year’s traditions that they share with their families and friends. Learn how Colombians welcome good fortune with their New Year’s traditions.
If you have family and loved ones in Colombia, send them money to help them achieve their New Year’s resolutions. You can send money the way that works best for you. Whether you prefer going online, using the Western Union app or sending money in person at an agent location, Western Union has your back.
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12 grapes at midnight
Colombian New Year’s gatherings are similar to those in other countries; families gather to have dinner and toast champagne when the clock strikes midnight. But Colombian celebrations have an added twist—the New Year’s tradition is to eat one grape, every time the clock chimes. You have to down 12 grapes in 12 seconds, so make sure you’re ready. And after you eat a grape, you make a wish.
The twelve grapes are a popular and long-storied tradition, with roots from the 19th century in Spain. Grapes were chosen because of their link to Christian tradition, where wine represents the blood of Jesus. This tradition is also present in other Latin American countries New Year’s celebrations, including
Wearing yellow underwear
Are you seeking money and love in the new year? Wearing yellow underwear on New Year’s Eve may bring you good tidings. A new pair of yellow underwear can help guarantee a year of love and happiness. Some people have moved toward buying other colored underwear. People buy green underwear, which they associate with help. Some may even buy white garments to help promote peace and prosperity for the new year. Wear yellow underwear to help actualize your desires for the new year.
Have some cash on hand
Don’t have leave your hands or pockets empty when the clock strikes twelve! Hard cash in your hands or in your pockets is a New Year’s tradition in Colombia. Having cash in hand is said to help bring financial security and stability in the upcoming year.
Clean your house on New Year’s Eve
Instead of doing spring cleaning, cleanse your house of all the negative thoughts and memories of the old year. Colombians end the year by giving their homes a thorough cleaning to get rid of any lingering bad energies. Before you grab your champagne glass, gather your cleaning supplies to physically scrub away unwelcome thoughts, people, and memories from the past.
Start your year on the right foot
To start your year off right, the first step you take should be with your right foot. After midnight, Colombians take a step into the new year with their right foot. Stand next to someone you love and trust to walk into the new year together.
Burn a doll for the old year
If there’s a person you don’t like, you can channel your disdain for them with this Colombian New Year’s tradition. At midnight, you burn a doll with the face or picture of someone you don’t like. Typically, this is a well-known public figure. This burning doll symbolizes burning the old year and all it represents.
Colombian New Year’s traditions cleanse the bad memories of the past and welcome good fortune for the upcoming year. Colombians can celebrate with their family and loved ones and usher new beginnings. If you want to impart good fortune to your loved ones in Colombia, send them money from United States for the new year. You can go online or download the Western Union app to send and receive money reliably and conveniently. You can also visit an agent location if you prefer to handle transactions in person.
