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42 Phonebox Magazine | January 2026Midnight Magic: How the World Welcomes a New YearThere are two types of people on New Year's Eve: those who are determined to stay stubbornly at home and grump about crowds and infl ated prices on the big night. Or there are those who plan their big night out months in advance with a determination to have FUN. Either way, do you have any family traditions on 31st December that you stick to?%u00a0 (We're big fans of First Footing.) Humankind has been marking the start of a new year for over 4,000 years, and some of these traditions have fascinating beginnings%u2026%u00a0The practice of making resolutions to rid oneself of bad habits and to adopt better ones dates to ancient times. The Romans derived the name for the month of January from their god Janus, who had two faces, one looking backwards and the other forward. Originally, the Roman year started in March, but Julius Caesar's calendar reform in 46 BCE established January 1st as the New Year, aligning with the solar year and the start of the consular year. Many of the customs of New Year festivals note the passing of time with both regret and anticipation. The baby as a symbol of the new year dates to the ancient Greeks, with an old man representing the year that has passed. The nostalgic ballad %u2018Auld Lang Syne%u2019 is often sung on New Year%u2019s Eve to refl ect on old times, friendship, and good memories as the year ends. The poem comes from ancient Scottish folk tradition %u2013 Robert Burns heard fragments of the original song from an old man and wrote them into a poem. The phrase \in Scots, referring to times gone by.As with most special occasions, there are symbolic foods that are often eaten as part of the festivities. Many in Eastern Europe eat cabbage or other greens to ensure prosperity in the coming year, while people in the American South favour black-eyed peas for good luck. For Ugadi in southern India, a special culinary preparation called ugadi pachadi combines multiple fl avorus and whether a person eating it tastes more sweet or bitter fl avour is considered indicative of their year to come. Throughout Asia special foods such as dumplings, noodles, and rice cakes are eaten, and elaborate dishes feature ingredients whose names or appearance symbolise long life, happiness, wealth, and good fortune.Spain: Eating 12 Grapes at MidnightPeople eat one grape for each stroke of the clock at midnight to bring luck for all 12 months.Japan: Joya no Kane Bell RingingBuddhist temples ring their bells 108 times to cleanse people of human desires and welcome a purifi ed new year.Scotland: First-FootingThe fi rst visitor after midnight brings symbolic gifts like coal or shortbread for good luck.Denmark: Smashing PlatesDanes throw old plates at friends%u2019 doors to bring them fortune and friendship in the coming year.Brazil: Jumping Seven WavesWearing white and jumping seven waves at the beach is believed to bring luck and make wishes come true.Greece: Hanging an OnionOnions are hung on doors as a symbol of rebirth and growth.Colombia: Running with a SuitcaseRunning around the block with an empty suitcase at midnight invites a year full of travel.South Korea: Sebae Bowing RitualChildren bow deeply to elders to wish them good fortune and receive blessings or gifts.Ecuador: Burning Effi giesEffi gies representing the old year are burned to symbolise cleansing and renewal.Italy: Wearing Red UnderwearWearing red undergarments is believed to attract luck and love for the coming year.Turkey: Sprinkling SaltSprinkling salt at the doorstep after midnight is thought to bring calm and prosperity.There are so many diff erent traditions that are followed around the World on 31st December %u2013 see if you recognise any of these:Should auld acquaintance %u2003be forgot, And never brought to mind? Should auld acquaintance %u2003be forgot, And auld lang syne? Chorus:For auld lang syne, my jo, For auld lang syne, We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet, For auld lang syne. And surely ye'll be your pint%u2003stowp! And surely I'll be mine! And we'll take a cup o' kind%u2003ness yet, For auld lang syne.Chorus....We twa hae ran about the braes, And pou'd the gowans fi ne; But we've wander'd mony a%u2003weary fi tt, Sin' auld lang syne. Chorus....We twa hae paidl'd in the burn,Frae morning sun till dine; But seas between us braid%u2003hae roar'd Sin' auld lang syne.Chorus....And there's a hand, my trusty fi ere! And gie's a hand o' thine! And we'll tak a right gude-willie-%u2003waught, For auld lang syne.Chorus....Auld Lang SyneMeaning of those Scottish words:Auld lang syne: Old days and friends; jo: dear; stowp: tankard; gowans: daisies; braid: broad; Guid-willie waught: friendly draught