There are many traditions and rituals we perform during the holiday season. The big event watched by us in America is counting down as we watch the ball drop in Times Square. Since my previous column was about exploring the world using Google Earth, I decided to explore some of the unique ways other countries celebrate the New Year.

Jumping off, we travel to Brazil. Immediately after midnight, citizens wearing white to symbolize purity, venture into the ocean and leap over seven waves as they make seven wishes for the New Year. Luckily for them it is summer in Brazil.

Spinning the globe, we land in Italy. While you’re sampling their fine food and wine at a New Year’s Eve party, many of your Italian friends are wearing a secret. Under their clothes they are wearing red underwear. The color red is associated with fertility. For those hoping to raise children, they wear red underwear with the hopes of conceiving a bambino or a bambina in the coming year. FYI, the wearing of red underwear on New Year’s Eve is also a tradition in Brazil, Bolivia and Argentina.

Staying in South America, let us learn a tradition in Columbia. On New Year’s Eve, those Columbians hoping for a year filled with vacation travels, carry empty suitcases around their block. Nobody knows where that tradition began. My guess, Samsonite initiated it.

In Spain, citizens hope that grapes will bring prosperity in the coming year. The tradition known as “las doce uvas de la suerte” translates in English to “the twelve lucky grapes,” started in the 19th century. At midnight those participating eat a grape at each clanging of the town clock. The trick is to eat 12 grapes quickly before the bell stops ringing. If successful you have warded off evil in the coming year.

Bombay India locals perform a ritual the sounds, at first, like a music festival from the United States. They construct a wooden likeness of an old man and ignite it at midnight. Their “burning man” indicates that the old year is past and the new year is full of prospects. The burning also represents the passing of grievances left behind in the old year. So, in that way, it resembles the airing of grievances that became part of our lexicon when the slogan “Festivus for the rest of us” was introduced in an episode of the television show “Seinfeld.”

Many people in Greece believe that onions are an indication of rebirth and new opportunities. Part of their tradition to welcome in the new year is to hang onions on their front door. Their culture associates the onion with the concept of perseverance and regrowth. They chose the onion because it has not only a strong odor but it thrives on spreading roots and remaining vital.

In Denmark they have a unique way of wishing their neighbors a happy and prosperous New Year. To show that you are removing any ill-will towards them you arrive at their doorstep carrying ceramic plates. Those plates are thrown against the door adding to the pile of broken dinnerware from other neighbors who preceded you. Upon waking up New Year’s Day the pile of broken plates, cup and saucers means your neighbors care about you. Just a guess, but maybe the tradition was initiated by Royal Copenhagen to reduce last year’s inventory and increase sales.

It seems like every country has their unique way to usher in the new year. As for me, I watch the ball drop on television preferring to stay home and avoid the roads where many drivers have had one too many glasses of champagne.

I spend New Year’s Day in my own special way. I make it a point to contact people who, for many reasons, I have lost a connection. It is a great way to spend time reigniting a friendship. Especially if auld acquaintance be forgot.

Wishing my readers a happy, healthy and prosperous 2023. As the song goes, maybe someday “we’ll take a cup of kindness yet.”

Hudson Cooper is a resident of Sullivan County, a writer, comedian and actor.