There are many Italian traditions to say goodbye to the old year and toast the new. As we say in Italy: “Anno nuovo, vita nuova” (New year, new life).

Lentils: In every corner of Italy, New Year’s Eve has to be accompanied with a dinner featuring lentils. In Roman times lentils were seen as a harbinger of money – the belief being that the more lentils you ate, the more money would come your way.

Zampone and cotechino: This is a typical Italian dinner for New Year’s Eve that accompanies lentils. They are a symbol of abundance, so eating them is supposed to ensure a lucky and prosperous New Year.
They are cured meat products made from a blend of pork, pork fat, pigskin and various seasonings.

Grape and dried fruit: There is an ancient Italian proverb that runs: Chi mangia l’uva per Capodanno conta i quattrini tutto l'anno. (He who eats grape on New Year’s Day will count his money all year). This stems from ancient times when if a farmer was still harvesting his crop in winter, it meant he had had a very rich harvest.

After midnight: To bring good luck to your household, let in either a priest or a very tall man with black hair. But don’t ask why!

Mistletoe: The midnight kiss under the mistletoe might be known everywhere in the world. However, hanging mistletoe on your door on New Year’s Eve is meant to ward off ghosts, an old tradition passed down by druids.

New Year’s Day: Ensuring you never leave home on January 1 with empty pockets is said to ensure you won’t have a poor year.

Money: Never turn down anyone who asks to borrow money on New Year’s Day as tradition says you will get it back a hundred-fold.