Drum Up Some Good Luck for the New Year

The idea of a new year just naturally suggests new beginnings. Here are some ideas for making the new year lucky.

Grapes: Eat 12 grapes at midnight, one for each month of the year (common in Spain and Latin America).
Lentils: Represents prosperity due to their expanding nature when soaked.
Black-eyed peas and collard greens: Southern U.S. tradition symbolizing coins and money respectively.
Pomegranate: Represents fertility and renewal with its abundant seeds.
Fish: Signifies abundance and surplus in Chinese culture.

Clean, Refresh, Renew

Clean your house or apartment before New Year’s Day to clear the way for an exciting new year. Don’t clean on New Year’s Day or you could sweep away the luck.
If you can’t clean the whole house, concentrate on the kitchen, as it represents health and prosperity.
Attract good fortune: Put 27 one-dollar bills in your wallet and 49 coins in your change purse or pocket. Sprinkle ground ginger on them and your checkbook.
Look only to the future: Avoid discussing the past. Focus on hopes and wishes for the future. Place nine small oranges in a bowl on the table to attract sweet things in the new year. Bowls of fruit, nuts, and candy are also considered lucky.
Get rid of the negatives: Open the door at midnight and light firecrackers or bang pots and pans to scare away destructive influences.
Make the first words positive: The first words said to you after midnight can impact your good fortune. Plan ahead and tell someone what to say if necessary. Avoid losing your temper or using bad language, as it can negatively affect the coming year.