Eating grapes on NYE? I’m not sure if many have heard of such a thing. But yes, eating 12 grapes on NYE is definitely a tradition, or shall we say, a pre-NY’s ritual. At least it is a Spanish one that’s more than a 100 years old.
As the clock strikes midnight and fireworks paint the sky, a curious ritual unfolds across Spain and beyond. Revellers, with mouths poised and hearts brimming with hope, embark on a swift yet meaningful task: popping 12 grapes. Each grape for a chime, and month of the coming year. This isn’t just a midnight snack; it’s a tradition steeped in history and superstition, promising a year brimming with good luck, one juicy bite at a time.
Humans being humans, have creative ways to keep themselves entertained. More than eating grapes on NYE, there are a string of traditions that come from everywhere. From the Americans’ ball drop in New York city’s Times Square to the Danes’ taking a leap into the brand new year, New Year’s Eve traditions around the world, are a lovely reminder of how much we embrace festivities and know how to have a good time. This Time article says it all when it comes to celebratory occasions from around the globe: 10 New Year’s Traditions From Across the Globe.
From Surplus to Superstition: The Grapevine Origins
The tale of the lucky grapes, known as “las doce uvas de la suerte” in Spanish, boasts multiple origin stories. Some whisper of a clever marketing ploy by Alicante’s grape farmers in the early 1900s, eager to offload a bumper harvest. Others trace it back to Madrid’s bourgeoisie, inspired by the French custom of indulging in grapes under the New Year’s Eve moon. Whatever the genesis, the tradition’s charm and promise of prosperity quickly captivated the Spanish imagination.
In fact, eating 12 grapes on NYE symbolically puts the specific number of grapes as good luck for each month of the year. Hence, the reason why so many since the Spanish tradition started around the 1890s have been gladly popping the juicy fruity treat when the clock strikes midnight. A clock chime signalling a fresh start and new chapter kicking off another year.
Separated by thousands of mass land and ocean, this Spanish tradition of eating grapes on NYE shares some similarities with the iconic New York Times Square ball drop. With roots in the homes and prominent city squares of Spain, grape eating parties were most commonplace in Madrid’s Puerta del Sol. Afterall, Madrid is where grape eating for a stroke of luck started. During the grape eating parties at Puerta del Sol, this event of eating 12 grapes on NYE played closely in-tune with the public square’s time ball and Royal House of the Post Office. Quite reminiscent of the New York Time Square ball drop?
A Bite for Every Month: Getting in on the Symbolism
But what makes these grapes so lucky? Each one, consumed with each chime of the clock, represents a month in the year ahead. Savour a sweet one, and a month of joy awaits. Bite into a sour one, and prepare for a tangy twist. This mindful munching becomes a delicious divination, a way to glimpse the year to come, one grape at a time. Aside from indulging in the many aflavoured 12 grapes of New Year’s Eve, luck seekers also have a few pre-requisites to meet for the grape eating festivities to mean anything.
Apparently, for a person to take part, said person should have red underwear on which must have been gifted by someone to them.
With each grape representing an unpredictable outcome, it’s no wonder why so many have held on to the tradition of eating grapes on NYE. As true to life as it can get, why DO people eat 12 grapes on NYE? I guess to hazard a guess, if people were to hold on to a significant symbol or reminder, it would have to at least be relatable. Speaking of which, even though this Spanish tradition was estimated to have started around 1895, it only became widely known around 1909. The reason behind this was said to have to do with the Alicantese vignerons or wine grape farmers.
Alicante used to be exclusively known for their unique dessert wines. Today, the region is known for a range of whites and reds, the most famous of them all, the Fondillon which has been in production since the 17th century.
Beyond the Bell: Where the Grapes Go
While the home dinner table is a popular stage for this grape-tastic ritual, Spain’s main squares become vibrant epicenters of the tradition. The Puerta del Sol in Madrid, with its iconic clock and time ball, takes center stage, drawing in throngs of hopeful grape-munchers eager to usher in the New Year with a burst of juicy luck.
Grapes & Gables: A TikTok Twist on Tradition
In recent years, social media has breathed new life into the grape-eating tradition of eating grapes on NYE, with TikTok taking the lead. Enter the “eat grapes, sit under a table, run outside with a suitcase” challenge, a playful amalgamation of New Year’s customs promising a year brimming with luck in love, travel, and all things good. Whether it’s the allure of viral fame or a genuine desire for a fortune-boosting trifecta, this fusion of traditions has captured the imagination of a generation.
Beyond Spain: A Global Grapevine
The lucky grapes haven’t stayed confined to Spanish soil. They’ve hopped across the Atlantic, finding fertile ground in Latin America and Hispanic communities worldwide. In Peru, the grape-eating ritual takes a romantic turn, with some diving under tables at midnight, hoping to snag a partner for the coming year.
More Than Just a Snack: A Ritual of Hope
The tradition of eating 12 grapes on New Year’s Eve transcends its origins. It’s a ritual of hope, a playful act of faith that entrusts the coming year to the whims of fate and the sweetness of a juicy grape. If you’re one of those who will be eating grapes on NYE, it’s a reminder that even as the clock ticks forward, we have the power to shape our own fortune. If dreams do come true one bite at a time, this age old Spanish tradition has curiously stood the test of time. So, this New Year’s Eve, grab a dozen grapes, raise them to the midnight sky, and make a wish. Who knows, with a little luck and a burst of grapey sweetness, the year ahead might just be the juiciest yet.
Are you doing more than celebrating at home this year? If you are keen on venturing out for some adventurous travelling, here’s a list of budget friendly and gorgeous places to visit: Best Travel Destinations in 2024: A Pocketbook Guide
