It’s that time of year again to start planning your New Year’s resolutions – what will 2019 bring? Whether it be to eat healthier, become more active, save money, or read more; we all have things we wish to improve upon. If you participate or not, setting resolutions is a fascinating part of American culture that has been a tradition traced all the way back to the ancient Babylonians over 4,000 years ago. That’s not the only fun fact about new year’s traditions!  The worldwide celebration of the new year is jam packed with some of the funniest, silliest, and downright craziest facts, traditions, and superstitions. Below we have listed some of our favorites:

Funny Facts

• On average, 360 million bottles of champagne are consumed in the United States on New Year’s Eve
• Ironically, the second most common new year’s resolution is to drink less.
• 50% of Americans set resolutions, and by month four over 80% will have been unsuccessful.
• More cars are stolen on New Year’s Day on average, than any other day of the year
• Eating black-eyed peas, ham or cabbage on New Year’s Day are thought to bring prosperity while lobster and chicken are thought to bring bad fortune.
• In Italy, people wear red underwear on New Year’s Day as a symbol of good luck for the upcoming year.
• The New Year’s Eve ball was introduced on November 11, 2008
• Samoa and parts of Kiribati are the first places to welcome the New Year while American Samoa and Baker Island in the United States, are among the last.
• Mexicans celebrate New Year’s Eve, by eating a grape with each of the twelve chimes of a clock’s bell during the midnight countdown, while making a wish with each one.
• Tradition says that the more leafy greens a person eats on New Year’s Day, the more prosperity that is to come for them.

So, this New Year’s Eve/Day when you are spending time with family and friends, remember to eat those leafy greens, black eyed peas, cabbage, and ham…. And maybe park your car in safe place with the doors locked. But seriously…all jokes aside…remember to enjoy your time spent around the ones you love!  Celebrate the passage of another year and welcome whatever is in store for you in 2019!