I seriously thought about trying to include a wide variety of symbols of New Year's Eve traditions in this lunch, but I ended up with just a few.
Here are some of the wonderful traditions from around the world I considered:
Suitcase
In Mexico they walk around the outside of their houses with a suitcase while hoping for travels during the year.
Red and Yellow Underwear
In Venezuela and several other countries they wear red or yellow underwear for good luck.
White Clothes
In Brazil some people wear white clothes that represent a desire for peace in the new year.
Twelve Grapes
In Spain people eat twelve grapes for good luck when the clock starts to chime twelve. One grape for each chime of the bell.
Black Eyes Peas and Turnip Greens
In the Southern United States some people eat black eyed peas and turnip greens. The peas stand for coins and the turnip greens for money. Eating them is said to bring you prosperity.
The bento breakfast JDaniel got contains twelve grapes, plain yogurt with confetti sprinkles, a blueberry waffle party hat trimmed with whipped cream along red raspberry spots, and 2013 written in mandarin orange segments.
The twelve grapes were for good luck. JDaniel's swimming instructor used to be a Spanish teacher. She shared with JDaniel that he might want to have twelve grapes to start the new year. He loves grapes. I think he would have eaten twenty if they had been placed in his lunch.
The confetti sprinkles are from various different holiday related sprinkle containers I have. Usually confetti falls at midnight during New Year's Eve parties. I thought JDaniel would like to see all the fun shapes of confetti mixed in with the yogurt. They also made the plain yogurt taste sweet.
A party hat or New Year's Eve crown is sometimes worn to New Year's Eve parties. I neglected to put one into JDaniel's New Year's Eve Sensory Bin. There just had to be one in this lunch. He loved the waffle with whipped cream. Once he had finished it, he wanted the scraps left from when I cut the waffle into a hat.
What are some of your New Year's Eve Traditions?


















We do black eyed peas. I have some that have soaked overnight to cook this evening.
ReplyDeletevery cute! What did you make 2013 out of?
ReplyDeleteWe do black eye peas from my dads side of the family!
ReplyDeleteYour stuff is always way too cute! Wish I had that kind of time!
ReplyDeleteWe don't necessarily have a tradition other than family time. We all go to my mom's and just spend time together. I entertain the kids with funnel cakes and cotton candy machine while ringing in the new year. Sparkling juice is a must-have along with party poppers, hats, and balloons!
ReplyDeleteThat breakfast is awesome way to end the year. The peaches make the perfect 2013 :)
we do lunch.
ReplyDeleteblack eyed peas for LUCK and greens for MONEY
lol
just heard about the grapes this morning... and I need to go out with a suitcase :)
We do black eyed peas and greens too. And don't forget the cornbread just because it goes with it all yummy.
ReplyDeleteI love all the way's you incorporated the new year into his lunch! I bet he loved it! :)
ReplyDeleteTiffany
I like the 12 grapes idea! Now if I could just make it to midnight. ;0
ReplyDeleteVery cool New Year's Eve lunch! Happy New Year to you and yours!
ReplyDeleteThese were really interesting!! We do black eyed peas and greens and eat pork....all three things I dislike but my inlaws feel strongly about doing...so there you go.
ReplyDeleteWe definitely eat black eyed peas and collards!! And my great-grandmother always said - Do NOT wash clothes on New Year's Day as you will wash someone out of your family. So I always adhere to that rule :)
ReplyDeleteWe always go out to dinner and then come home to watch the ball drop. Not very exciting, but it suits us!
ReplyDelete=)