{"id":2988,"date":"2013-12-31T22:40:32","date_gmt":"2013-12-31T21:40:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/?p=2988"},"modified":"2021-12-01T18:49:36","modified_gmt":"2021-12-01T17:49:36","slug":"catalan-and-spanish-traditions-in-new-years-eve","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/catalan-and-spanish-traditions-in-new-years-eve\/","title":{"rendered":"Catalan and Spanish Traditions for New Year&#8217;s Eve"},"content":{"rendered":"<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Christmas has gone away and you probably have already received and given away a lot of presents and consumed far more calories than your body is able to accept. But wait! That&#8217;s not all folks&#8230;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">There&#8217;s still New year&#8217;s eve to celebrate with the traditional family dinner or the party with friends and the &#8220;good morning hangover&#8221;. You know, happy nights, sad mornings.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">During these special days in Catalonia and, in general, in Spain, there are several traditions that all foreigners must know if they want to feel fully integrated into our culture and celebrating the new year as a local.<\/p>\n<div id=\"metaslider-id-104539\" style=\"max-width: 850px; margin: 0 auto;\" class=\"ml-slider-3-20-3 metaslider metaslider-responsive metaslider-104539 ml-slider\">\n    <div id=\"metaslider_container_104539\">\n        <ul id='metaslider_104539' class='rslides'>\n            <li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/short-term-rentals\" target=\"_self\"><img width=\"850\" height=\"182\" src=\"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/en-7.jpg\" class=\"slider-104539 slide-104540\" alt=\"touristic apartments in barcelona\" rel=\"\" title=\"Banner medio turismo inquilinos\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n        <\/ul>\n        \n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">If you want the new year to be full of success and happiness, tradition says you must follow a simple set of &#8220;rules&#8221;. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\"><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff; text-decoration: underline;\">ShBarcelona<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/a> will tell you more about Catalan celebrations for new year&#8217;s eve, mix them with your own if you feel like it.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_17 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-grey\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class=\"ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1\"><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/catalan-and-spanish-traditions-in-new-years-eve\/#What_are_Catalan_and_Spanish_traditions_for_New_Years_Eve\" title=\"What are Catalan and Spanish traditions for New Year&#8217;s Eve?\">What are Catalan and Spanish traditions for New Year&#8217;s Eve?<\/a><ul class=\"ez-toc-list-level-3\"><li class=\"ez-toc-heading-level-3\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/catalan-and-spanish-traditions-in-new-years-eve\/#Eating_12_grapes_in_the_last_12_seconds_of_the_year\" title=\"Eating 12 grapes in the last 12 seconds of the year\">Eating 12 grapes in the last 12 seconds of the year<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/catalan-and-spanish-traditions-in-new-years-eve\/#Wear_red_underwear\" title=\"Wear red underwear\">Wear red underwear<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/catalan-and-spanish-traditions-in-new-years-eve\/#Write_and_burning_desires_in_a_paper\" title=\"Write and burning desires in a paper\">Write and burning desires in a paper<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/catalan-and-spanish-traditions-in-new-years-eve\/#The_cotillon\" title=\"The &#8220;cotill\u00f3n&#8221;\">The &#8220;cotill\u00f3n&#8221;<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/catalan-and-spanish-traditions-in-new-years-eve\/#Costumes\" title=\"Costumes\">Costumes<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_are_Catalan_and_Spanish_traditions_for_New_Years_Eve\"><\/span>What are Catalan and Spanish traditions for New Year&#8217;s Eve?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Eating_12_grapes_in_the_last_12_seconds_of_the_year\"><\/span>Eating 12 grapes in the last 12 seconds of the year<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">All Spaniards and some people in other countries have the tradition of eating 12 grapes in the last seconds of the year that are announced by 12 bell peals. With each stroke one should eat a grape until there are any.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">That, aside from being a massive ingestion of the fruit that has sometimes led to my grandmother&#8217;s choking, is <strong>supposed to guarantee good luck throughout the coming year<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_2991\" style=\"width: 650px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2991\" class=\"wp-image-2991\" title=\"uvas\" src=\"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/uvas-e1475141889319.jpg\" alt=\"grapes \" width=\"640\" height=\"428\"><p id=\"caption-attachment-2991\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><em>Photo via Visualhunt<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Some people use to peel the grape and remove the seeds from them. Those people are just cowards! this tradition must be respected! (and you can always practice before).<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Oh, and the bell peals are usually seen on TV in the &#8220;cheesy&#8221; programs that you&#8217;ll find on Spanish and Catalan TV with celebrities and their elegant dresses and suits.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">At the end of the 12 bell strokes people use to kiss on the mouth or on the cheek depending on the level of trust and make a toast with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/cava-catalonias-sparkling-wine\/\"><strong>cava<\/strong><\/a> or champagne.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a class=\"fasc-button fasc-size-large fasc-type-flat fasc-rounded-medium ico-fa fasc-ico-before fa-chevron-circle-right broken_link\" style=\"background-color: #850909; color: #ffffff;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/short-term-rentals\" rel=\"nofollow\">Book your holiday accommodation in Barcelona<\/a><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Wear_red_underwear\"><\/span>Wear red underwear<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">It is supposed that wearing red underwear on New Year&#8217;s Eve bring you love and good luck the coming year. Yes, must be new and unused, wearing the same red underwear every year is not allowed.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_2992\" style=\"width: 510px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2992\" class=\"wp-image-2992 size-full\" title=\"calzoncillo-hombre-noche-vieja-20-5870989z0\" src=\"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/calzoncillo-hombre-noche-vieja-20-5870989z0-e1475141848991.jpg\" alt=\"red underwear\" width=\"500\" height=\"333\"><p id=\"caption-attachment-2992\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><em>Photo via Visualhunt<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">I don&#8217;t know what could happen if they are used but just in case, don&#8217;t take the risk! In some countries the underwear that you should wear is yellow to attract money. You can choose between money or love!<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Write_and_burning_desires_in_a_paper\"><\/span>Write and burning desires in a paper<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Some families have the habit of writing their wishes for the new year in a paper and burn them all in a small saucepan to ensure that they will be fulfilled.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Be careful with the typical pyromaniac cousin (he will be waiting all night for that moment to burn the wishes to come), but try to do it, what can you lose?<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_107230\" style=\"width: 650px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-107230\" class=\"size-full wp-image-107230\" src=\"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/fire-g828f7c989_640.jpg\" alt=\"paper with wish burning\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\"><p id=\"caption-attachment-107230\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><em>Photo via Pixabay<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Related article:&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/winter-sale-barcelona\/\">Winter Sale in Barcelona; Let\u2019s Go Shopping!<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_cotillon\"><\/span>The &#8220;cotill\u00f3n&#8221;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Once you have eaten the 12 grapes you can go out partying at night because the next day you won&#8217;t have to work, hurray! In Spain and in Catalonia people use to wear the &#8220;cotill\u00f3n&#8221; at those parties, they are masks, noisemakers, confetti, bright hats, etc.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_107229\" style=\"width: 650px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-107229\" class=\"size-full wp-image-107229\" src=\"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/streamer-gcb1527e1a_640.jpg\" alt=\"cotillion in spain\" width=\"640\" height=\"339\"><p id=\"caption-attachment-107229\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><em>Photo via Pixabay<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Some people organize parties at friends&#8217; houses or in rented places for the occasion with open bar (=bad hangover guaranteed), and others prefer to pay an expensive entry into any <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/exclusive-nightclubs\/\"><strong>nightclub<\/strong><\/a> or party to dance until dawn.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">You can also opt for the quiet plan at home with the family, but it is always good to get out for a walk to see the celebrating atmosphere surrounding you.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a class=\"fasc-button fasc-size-large fasc-type-flat fasc-rounded-medium ico-fa fasc-ico-before fa-chevron-circle-right broken_link\" style=\"background-color: #850909; color: #ffffff;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/short-term-rentals\" rel=\"nofollow\">Find short-term rentals in Barcelona<\/a><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Costumes\"><\/span>Costumes<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Although the cotillion is already a bit of a &#8220;costume&#8221; in some cities in Spain people use to wear a full <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/costume-barcelona\/\"><strong>costume<\/strong><\/a> to go out and celebrate the new year, but it is unusual in Barcelona.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_107228\" style=\"width: 650px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-107228\" class=\"size-full wp-image-107228\" src=\"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/grimace-g6ec4a7c54_640.jpg\" alt=\"funny face with glasses and moustache\" width=\"640\" height=\"426\"><p id=\"caption-attachment-107228\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><em>Photo via Pixabay<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">It&#8217;s actually a night where anything goes, so you can wear whatever you want, although we don&#8217;t recommend you trying to get into a fancy party with a multicolored wig, for example.<\/p>\n<p>Now that you have finished reading this article, you have learned all about <strong>how they celebrate New Year&#8217;s in Spain<\/strong>, or at least some of the most quirky and interesting traditions.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Do you plan on mixing one of these Spanish New Year&#8217;s traditions with your own?<\/strong><br \/>\n<strong>Tell us if you went shopping specially for cotillion and underwear \ud83d\ude09<\/strong><\/p>\n<div style=\"display: none;\"\n    class=\"kk-star-ratings kksr-valign-bottom kksr-align-left \"\n    data-id=\"2988\"\n    data-slug=\"\">\n    <div class=\"kksr-stars\">\n    <div class=\"kksr-stars-inactive\">\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" data-star=\"1\">\n            <div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 25px; height: 25px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" data-star=\"2\">\n            <div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 25px; height: 25px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" data-star=\"3\">\n            <div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 25px; height: 25px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" data-star=\"4\">\n            <div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 25px; height: 25px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" data-star=\"5\">\n            <div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 25px; height: 25px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"kksr-stars-active\" style=\"width: 150px;\">\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\">\n            <div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 25px; height: 25px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\">\n            <div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 25px; height: 25px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\">\n            <div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 25px; height: 25px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\">\n            <div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 25px; height: 25px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\">\n            <div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 25px; height: 25px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n    <div class=\"kksr-legend\">\n            <strong class=\"kksr-score\">5<\/strong>\n        <span class=\"kksr-muted\">\/<\/span>\n        <strong>5<\/strong>\n        <span class=\"kksr-muted\">(<\/span>\n        <strong class=\"kksr-count\">7<\/strong>\n        <span class=\"kksr-muted\">\n            votes        <\/span>\n        <span class=\"kksr-muted\">)<\/span>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Christmas has gone away and you probably have already received and given away a lot of presents and consumed far more calories than your body is able to accept. But wait! That&#8217;s not all folks&#8230; There&#8217;s still New year&#8217;s eve to celebrate with the traditional family dinner or the party with friends and the &#8220;good [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":69227,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[4348],"tags":[594,593,9860,1006],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2988"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2988"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2988\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":107231,"href":"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2988\/revisions\/107231"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/69227"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2988"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2988"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2988"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}