How to Be Lucky in the New Year

Perhaps the current year was filled with difficulties from worrying about job stability, paying the bills, affording health care and other issues. We could all wish for improved luck in the new year. Here are ways to start out the new year right.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. 

   In many cultures, such as Ireland it was thought that the first visitor on New Year's Day brought good luck or bad luck for the rest of the year. It was particularly lucky if that visitor happened to be a tall dark-haired man. (What you can do: Invite a friend who is tall and dark-haired to come to your house early on New Year's Day.)

2. 

   Many cultures see a ring as symbolizing good luck, since it represents "coming full circle," like the cycle of the seasons in a year. The Dutch eat donuts on New Year's Day hoping to bring luck. (What you can do: Have donuts for breakfast on New Year's Day or make a bread ring like the link below.)

3. 

   Some think that special New Year's foods brings luck. In some areas of the U.S. that means eating black-eyed peas. Have them with hog jowls or ham, as that represents prosperity. Another lucky food is cabbage as the leaves of the cabbage or collard greens are like paper money. For some, the lucky food is rice eaten on New Year's Day. (What you can do: Have the ham and black-eyed peas for lunch, and a stir-fry that includes cabbage served over rice for the evening meal.)

4. This one's for the ladies. At midnight on New Year's Eve, throw away the underpants you are wearing and replace them with yellow ones. This is a custom originally from Spain, that is meant to bring wealth and work. The yellow color represents gold. The lucky panties must be new. Wearing them inside out may make them extra lucky. It's luckier to have received them as a gift than to buy them yourself. If you'd rather have passion than wealth in the new year, opt for red panties.

5. 

   Another lucky idea from Mexico is to take all your suitcases out for a walk around the block at midnight. This is supposed to bring travel in the upcoming year. Don't do this if you live in an area where you might get mugged.

6. 

   Having the cupboards full and money in the wallet supposedly start the year off the way it will continue. (What you can do: Shop before New Year's Day, so the pantry is well-stocked. Stop by the bank to get some cash to plump up the wallet too.)

7. 

   Kissing your sweetie at the stroke of midnight is more than just having a good time. It symbolizes a year of close relationships with that special person. (What you can do: Forget the quick peck on the cheek and go for the full kiss. Put some feeling into it.)

Resources

• Cinnamon Bread Ring - easy to make
• More New Year's Day superstitions
• Snopes list of New Year's superstitions

[poetryman69]

on 2/20/2009 I like the article. It was fun. Good luck and cyber rainbows!

[painthorse42]

on 1/1/2009 Interesting article! 5*

[chenderson00]

on 1/1/2009 Awesome article!!! I was born on Friday the 13th....and I'm still pretty lucky :) haha 5*s

[LilacGirl]

on 1/1/2009 This article was informative and fun to read. I have tried a few of those customs for luck, and they are fun and in the case of the food ones, delicious. Good article.

[veryirie]

on 12/30/2008 Wonderful ways to be lucky for the new year. We always eat cabbage and black-eyed peas and shoot off a lot of fireworks. Happy New Year!!