How well do you know New Year’s traditions?

As you prepare to get ready for New Year’s Eve, I thought that you might want to give this New Year’s trivia a try. There are 10 True/False questions followed by 6 multiple choice questions.

1.      40% of New Year’s resolutions fail by February. 

2.      The symbol of “Baby New Year” can be traced back to an ancient Roman tradition.

3.      The first New Year's Eve Ball was dropped in Times Square in 1905.

4.      In some parts of the world, people eat exactly 12 grapes at the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve.

5.      People send wishes of happiness and health to loved ones for the New Year in Turkey.

6.      Santa Clause is a traditional symbol of New Year in Ukraine.

7.      In many cultures all over the world, wearing red on New Year’s Eve has become a traditional practice based on the belief it will usher in romance in the year to come.

8.      It should be mentioned that besides the regular New Year on the 1st of January many people celebrate Old New year holidays (14th of January) in Ukraine.

9.      The New Year tree is the most popular and favourite symbol of New Year in many countries.

10.  One of the most interesting traditions surrounding New Year’s Eve in Turkey however is the practice of smashing an orange in front of the home as a means to make way for good fortune in the coming year.

11. In Spain, as the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve, people at each of the 12 chimes.

a. Make a wish

b. Eat a grape

c. Blow out a candle

d. Take a sip of wine

12. In which country do people wear polka-dots and eat round fruits on New Year’s Eve for prosperity in the upcoming year?

a. Portugal

b. Paraguay

c. Papua New Guinea

d. Philippines

13. Why do many people in the Southern United States eat Hoppin’ John, a dish made with black-eyed peas, rice, onions, bacon, and salt, on New Year’s Day?

a. For good luck and prosperity in the new year

b. To bring friends and family a peaceful year

c. For a healthy and long life

d. To use up the previous year’s leftovers

14. Which are customs that many people in Brazil take part in to ring in the new year?

a. Wear a completely white outfit

b. Run into the ocean and jump seven waves

c. Throw flowers into the ocean

d. All of the above

15. What occurs in Japan shortly before midnight on New Year’s Eve in order to welcome the Gregorian New Year on January 1st?

a. People light a candle to honor their ancestors

b. People run through the streets banging pots and pans

c. Buddhist temples ring their bells 108 times

d. People change into new clothes and shoes

16. In which country do they eat Kransekage, a “wreath cake” comprised of concentric rings of cake layered on top of each other?

a. Russia

b. Iceland

c. Germany

d. Denmark

Please post your response in the spoiler box.

If you are not interested in participating but are curious about the answers I have attached a pdf of the questions and answers. You can also check your answers once you’ve posted your response by opening the pdf file.

@PrettyBubbles can you please tag? Thanks!