Why Were People Eating Grapes Under a Table on New Years Eve?

Happy New Year! Welcome to 2024. Did you celebrate the new year with a tradition or superstition?

New Year's Eve Traditions

Growing up there weren't many New Year's Eve traditions in my house. But we always grabbed the pots and pans and headed outside to start the new year with a bang.

Some people believe in eating Black Eyed Peas, pork, and rice on New Year's Day to bring good luck and peace for the next 12 months.

Apparently, according to Good Housekeeping, eating round foods on New Year's Eve will "lead to prosperity."

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Maybe that is part of the reason why many in the Hudson Valley and across the world were eating grapes under the table at the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve 2023.

Why Were People Eating Grapes Under the Table on NYE?

A trend on TikTok is to blame for the burst of popularity in grapes on December 31st, 2023. Well, that and a Latin American tradition that was brought to everyone's attention.

If you were on TikTok the week leading up to New Year's Eve this year, you probably saw a handful of videos like this:

@taylertots70 Girlies, do not miss your opportunity. Get under that table and eat those grapes! #grapes #manifesting #newyears #engaged #2024bride #fiance #happyholidays #happynewyear #bridetobe2024 #trendingtiktok ♬ love me like you - jasmine (harrison’s version)

According to the video, eating 12 grapes at the strike of midnight on New Year's Eve is supposed to bring you luck in the love department. Many of the TikTok videos showed women eating the grapes last year and finding the love of their lives soon after.

The tradition is way deeper than that. According to Wikipedia:

The 12 Grapes (las doce uvas de la suerte, "the twelve grapes of luck") is a Spanish and Portuguese tradition that consists of eating a grape with each of the twelve clock bell strikes at midnight of 31 December to welcome the New Year. Each grape and clock bell strike represents each of the coming twelve month.

Each grape is supposed to represent a different wish. Not sure where the love of your life aspect found feet, probably on TikTok.

On a personal note, I'm not taking any chances this year.

So I went ahead and ate 12 grapes under the table at midnight on New Year's Eve. Does "The 12 Grape" tradition work? I guess we'll find out. I'll report back with any updates.

What traditions or superstitions do you partake in?

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Gallery Credit: Paty Quyn

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Completely upgraded to become your home this converted barn is currently an entertainment space. The Barn at Shadow Lawn 2234 Lucas Avenue in High Falls could be your next home address. This 2-plus acre lot comes with complete BOH for a 4-bedroom house. You can literally live in this barn in High Falls, New York.

Gallery Credit: Paty Quyn