My Favorite Night of the Year

Grapes, Suitcases, and Yellow Underwear: My Favorite Night of the Year

New Year’s Eve is, hands down, my favorite holiday. Forget the stress of December shopping or the pressure of pulling off the “perfect” Christmas. December 31st has always been the celebration that feels both magical and accessible; a night where possibility lives right alongside laughter, grapes, and even running around the block with a suitcase.

I grew up in Latin America, and for me, New Year’s Eve traditions are rooted in Colombia. But when I was living in Ecuador, I attended a Jewish school for many years. That meant my friends and I often celebrated very different holidays, Hanukkah or Christmas, but on December 31st, all of us came together. That night belonged to everyone.

In Colombia, we call these traditions agüeros, rituals and superstitions meant to bring good luck, prosperity, health, and love in the year ahead.

Now, as an adult and a mom, the magic hasn’t worn off. If anything, it feels more meaningful. December can feel overwhelming with its gatherings and high expectations, but New Year’s is lighter. It doesn’t demand gift-buying or elaborate plans. It’s simply about getting together, having fun, and starting fresh. You can do it on a tight budget and still feel the joy.

In our home, my husband and I have made it a tradition to invite families from all kinds of backgrounds, including kids, because we don’t mind if they stay up past midnight. They absolutely love it. And without fail, everyone leaves with stories and excitement, often carrying these traditions into their own homes. It feels like planting little sparks that catch fire in the best way.

So, what actually happens when the clock strikes midnight?

First, everyone gets 12 grapes ready, along with a private list of 12 wishes. With each grape you eat, you silently make a wish for the year ahead. It’s fast, messy, and loud, filled with laughter, cheering, and a burst of great energy.

Next comes the money game. We exchange bills, not for their actual value but for absurd, made-up amounts. One year, my husband ran out of U.S. dollars and handed me Colombian pesos and Brazilian reais, joking that this international money swap would guarantee international business. We had so much fun with it that now we do it every year, always bringing in different currencies to make it even more ridiculous. (And don’t worry, all the money goes back to its rightful owner at the end of the night.)

Then it’s time to run. Literally. We wash our hands, grab a suitcase, and run around the block. The tradition promises more travel in the new year. Do you need to pack it? No way. I’ve been running with an empty suitcase for years, and I’ve still managed to travel plenty. Tradition also says you should have raw lentils or coins in your pockets while you run. Why? Honestly, I don’t know but I still do it.

And, of course, there’s the underwear rule. My grandmother insisted that to guarantee good luck, you had to wear brand-new yellow underwear, inside out, under your clothes. No explanation given. No room for negotiation. Some countries match the color of underwear to what you hope for: red for love, green for money. Apparently, yellow covers overall good fortune. Whatever it means, I still follow her rule, because why risk it?

Finally, the table. Ours is decorated with shafts of wheat and bowls of grains, symbols of an abundant harvest. I learned that these come from Persian New Year traditions, which are usually celebrated in March. Somewhere along the way, Colombians borrowed them for December, and I like to think that’s exactly how rituals work. They travel, they adapt, they stick when they bring us meaning.

These traditions might sound quirky from the outside, but to me, they’re powerful. Rituals, whether sacred or silly, anchor us in community, connect us across generations, and remind us that joy is something we can choose to practice. Do I really believe grapes, suitcases, and underwear dictate my fate? Not exactly. But am I going to stop? Absolutely not. Because the joy is in the pretending; in laughing together while we act like these little rituals guarantee travel, good fortune, and overall luck. And honestly, isn’t that the best possible way to start a new year?

Rituals don’t need to be rational to matter. They give shape to time, they remind us to pause and dream, and they connect us through joy. And honestly, isn’t that exactly how you’d want to start a new year?

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Sylvia Salazar is the founder of Tono Latino, a digital platform that makes politics easier to understand and helps increase Latino voter turnout. A computer engineer turned content creator, she uses video and storytelling to break down complex issues and show people how to take action. Her Substack newsletter, Latino Lens, offers political insight through a Latino perspective—sharing stories, context, and lived experiences that often go unseen or unheard in mainstream conversations. Sylvia’s work has empowered thousands to feel more informed, more confident, and more ready to get involved. Follow Tono Latino on their instagram, or website.

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