Like other countries around the world, Mexico celebrates New Year’s. It’s a holiday about setting intentions and celebrating new beginnings for the year to come, and Mexican culture shines through new year traditions, rituals, and festivities. These experiences usher in the new year to promote prosperity and renewal for all those who celebrate.
If you have family and loved ones in Mexico, 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.
12 grapes, 12 wishes
On New Year’s Eve, families gather to have dinner, toast champagne, and eat twelve grapes. 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. The twelve grapes must be eaten before the clock strikes twelve. Each person makes a wish after they consume a grape and everyone who eats all twelve grapes are rewarded with prosperity for the new year.
Wear colored underwear
Do you want to bring love or money into the New Year? Your underwear on New Year’s Eve will help bring you luck, depending on the color. Red underwear will bring good fortune and help strengthen and impassion married couples. Yellow underwear will bring good luck with money, happiness, and promotions. Although red and yellow are the traditional colors, 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. Choose your underwear wisely to set your intentions for the new year.
Sweep coins for prosperity
Get your brooms and loose change ready. Another New Year’s Mexican tradition is to drop twelve coins on your doorstep and sweep them inside, as the clock strikes midnight. This tradition will bring monetary success into the new year.
Walk around with a packed suitcase
Pack your bags for a quick trip around the block. After midnight, take a brief vacation around the neighborhood with a packed suitcase. This Mexican New Year’s tradition will help bring good fortune and luck in the upcoming year. Alternatively, if you don’t feel like going outside, you can also walk around your house with a packed suitcase.
Drop a golden ring into your champagne glass
On New Year’s, a common tradition is to toast with champagne at midnight. This is also common in Mexican New Year’s traditions, but with an added twist: you drop a golden ring into your champagne glass. You can’t take the ring out until you finish your glass and hug everyone in the room—just be careful to not swallow your ring as you drink!
Fireworks
Fireworks are another universal experience for New Year’s celebrations. The beaches in Mexico light up with fireworks after midnight. In Mexican culture, the noise from the fireworks helps ward off evil spirits.
Mexican New Year’s traditions are fun—from choosing your underwear, wolfing down grapes to make wishes, and engaging in other rituals—there isn’t a dull moment to welcome in the new year. And if you complete them correctly, your year could have economic success, prosperity, and maybe even a new loved one. If you want to bring economic blessings to your family and friends, you can send them money for the new year.
Go online or download the Western Union app to send and receive money securely and conveniently. You can also visit an agent location if you prefer to handle transactions in person.
