New Year’s Eve in my family is a mix of Colombian and Spanish traditions, with a sprinkle of fun from our Argentinean friends. It’s all about good luck, letting go of the old year, and welcoming the new one with open arms—and maybe a piece of luggage.

Burning the Old Year Away

From my Colombian side, the main event is the “Año Viejo.” We build a figure (usually stuffed with paper) to represent the old year and burn it at midnight. Along with it, we throw in notes where everyone has written down the bad things they want to leave behind. Watching the flames feels cathartic, like hitting the reset button on life.

Running for Adventure

Right after the flames die down, some of us grab suitcases and dash around the block. The idea? This guarantees a year full of travel! My neighbors might think we’re crazy, but hey, we’re aiming for Paris or Tokyo, not their driveway.

Pocket Full of Wishes

To attract money in the new year, we make sure to have bills in our pockets when the clock strikes midnight. (Pro tip: coins in your shoes work too, but they’re not very comfortable.)

12 Grapes and a Video Call

From my Spanish side comes the most important tradition: eating 12 grapes at midnight, one for each stroke of the clock. We sync up with family in Spain via video call and follow the chimes from a Spanish TV channel. It’s chaotic but fun, especially when you try to swallow all 12 grapes in time. (Pro tip: choose seedless grapes unless you enjoy a choking hazard.)

Lucky Colors

When it comes to underwear, the color matters—at least for good luck. Colombians swear by yellow for prosperity, while Spaniards insist on red for passion. Our Argentinean friends? They go with pink for happiness. It’s like a secret New Year’s fashion code nobody talks about but everyone follows.

The Perfect Blend

New Year’s Eve in my family is loud, messy, and full of laughter. Whether it’s burning notes, running with luggage, or eating grapes as fast as possible, it’s all about starting the year with hope, luck, and a little bit of magic. Happy New Year—or as we say, “Feliz Año Nuevo!”