What do black-eyed peas, grapes, and underwear have in common? They can help you realize your New Year’s resolutions.
Take a look at New Year’s Eve superstitions that could bring you good luck in 2026
USA TODAY reporter Julia Gomez debunks some of the New Year’s Eve superstitions you can partake in that may bring you good luck in 2026.
New Year’s Eve is best spent partying and spending quality time with your loved ones. But when the clock strikes 12, some people start shoving grapes into their mouths while sitting under the table, while others wear the right color of underwear to ensure that their New Year’s resolutions come true.
We all want to start 2026 on a good note. Whether you want to travel more or find the love of your life, there are New Year’s superstitions that people believe will help give them exactly what they want to achieve in the new year.
There are many foods that will bring you good luck if you eat them!
Whether that sounds ridiculous or not is entirely up to you. So sit back and get your suitcase ready for a walk around the neighborhood. Here are some ways to make sure your new year is filled with luck, love, and adventure.
eat 12 grapes under the table
Once midnight strikes, balance a glass of champagne (or sparkling grape juice) under the dinner table while shoving grapes into your mouth, being careful not to choke, to attract good luck and ensure you achieve your resolutions.
While the table is unnecessary for some people, Parade says some people believe that adding it to the equation can help them find the love of their life.
Eating 12 grapes at midnight to ring in the new year is a centuries-old Spanish tradition, according to Vogue. It is also practiced in the Caribbean, South America, and other Hispanic and Latin countries.
Each grape represents 12 resolutions or wishes for the new year. Whether it’s losing weight, finding love, or finding a new job, eating grapes at midnight is said to help you achieve it.
Walking around the city with an empty suitcase
According to Instagram account @Instant_Witch, the Latin American tradition of walking down the block with an empty suitcase on New Year’s Day is sure to bring adventure and increase opportunities to visit new places next year.
But Amigos International, a program that allows young people to volunteer abroad, says some people believe that if you dream of a vacation to Miami or Puerto Rico, you should pack your suitcase with sunscreen, a pool float, and other symbols of your desired vacation before heading out for that walk.
Miscellaneous things bring bad luck
According to Chinese superstitions, people avoid doing laundry or cleaning their homes on January 1st, because on January 1st all their good fortune for the coming year may be washed away.
Another devastating belief is that washing or cleaning will “wash away your loved one,” meaning your loved one could die in the new year, CBS News reported.
According to superstitions, hold off on cleaning until January 2nd, as you’ll be blowing away your good luck along with the dirt and dust mites.
Some people may think it’s silly not to clean or put up Christmas lights, but there’s nothing wrong with taking time off. After all, it is a holiday and brings potential good luck into the new year.
Eat black-eyed peas and lentils
Add more round foods to your day with these little guys!
Round foods resemble coins or money, Linda Peraccio, host of the cooking radio show “A Taste of the Past,” previously told USA TODAY.
Have a financially prosperous New Year by eating these symbolic foods. Conversely, avoid eating round foods. If you do, you may have a year of bad luck.
Eating peas with green peas and cornbread is even more auspicious. Because green is the color of money and cornbread is associated with gold.
On New Year’s Eve, black-eyed peas are served with rice in a traditional dish from the American South called “Hoppin’ John.” Alternatively, peas can be part of the soup. In Italy, lentils are mixed with pork to make it an auspicious dish.
What to do do not have eat on new year’s day
It is better not to eat lobster on New Year’s Day. Your luck and your wallet will thank you.
“It’s not a good idea to eat lobsters because they walk backwards,” Peraccio said.
That backward movement can bring you bad luck and cause you to backtrack on your goals and resolutions.
Express your love using the color of your underwear
According to InStyle, your New Year’s wishes will come true depending on the color of your New Year’s underwear.
Are you looking for a raise or a higher-paying job? Then wearing yellow pants might be for you. Red panties are said to bring passion and love, while pink panties are said to bring platonic love. Blue brings health and green brings freedom, life and nature.
So a quick trip to Victoria’s Secret or Target could be the key to unlocking your New Year’s resolutions.
According to the Rockland/Westchester Journal News, part of the USA TODAY network, wearing different colored underwear for New Year’s wishes is common in many countries, including Spain, Latin America and Italy, where the tradition is said to have originated.
Whatever your resolutions or superstitions are, we hope these tips and tricks bring a smile to your face, even if all your resolutions this year don’t come true. Plus, I’m always looking forward to 2027.
Happy new year!
Contribution: Carly Mullenbaum; Alexandra Rivera, Rockland/Westchester Journal News
Julia is a trends reporter for USA TODAY, covering scientific research and trending news. Connect with her on LinkedIn ×Instagram, TikTok: @juliamaigz or email jgomez@hannett.com..
