In every country, certain traditions are performed every year during New Year’s Eve. This is also the case in the Netherlands. Even in different provinces, different traditions are held. Are you curious about what traditions these are? We’ll show you!
Eating donuts
Throughout the Netherlands we eat oliebollen en masse during New Year’s Eve. Yummy! And that is not without reason, because oliebollen are not only tasty, there is also a story behind them. In the past, Christmas was celebrated at the end of a period of fasting. This was celebrated by eating oil cakes. These were filled with non-perishable raw materials such as fat for baking. The ingredients for oliebollen had a long shelf life and were easily available in the winter. These later became the oliebollen, which we now buy at stalls or bake ourselves.
Toast with champagne
During New Year’s Eve we toast the new year with champagne. Not only is this very tasty, but bubbles are also very festive. Perfect to ring in the new year. And would you rather not drink alcohol? Then there are also a lot of alcohol-free variants. In other countries they also like to drink champagne, such as in Germany, where they drink ‘sect’ (a sparkling wine).
Carbide shooting
Carbide shooting is also a Dutch tradition that is done during New Year’s Eve. Yet not everyone knows it. When shooting carbide, the aim is to produce the loudest possible bang. In an old milk can, you put carbide (a fuel) and water in the milk can and put the lid (or a ball) on the opening at the front. When fire is added, the ball pops off the milk can and makes a loud noise. This way you can literally start the new year with a bang!
New Year’s dive
Many people take a New Year’s dive not on New Year’s Eve, but on New Year’s Day. On the coast in the Netherlands, people take a refreshing (and especially cold) dip to ring in the new year. There are many benefits to swimming in cold natural water, but it is above all a fun tradition to do with many people around you. Finishing off with a hot cup of chocolate and a Unox sandwich, that’s what we sign up for!
Traditions outside the Netherlands
It is not only in the Netherlands that there are traditions during New Year’s Eve. In Italy, for example, there is an old tradition that people went door to door singing. If you didn’t open the door, you would have bad luck in the New Year. An important tradition among the Spaniards during New Year’s Eve is to eat one grape at every chime of the clock. This tradition started after a good grape harvest in the twentieth century.
