Adios, 2024
Folks know that Commentary is of the Latino persuasion. I mention it every now and then. In today’s Chron, Jhair Romero, the Chron reporter who according to the Chron, covers “the businesses, politics and cultures of the growing Hispanic population across Greater Houston and Texas,” has a piece on what Latinos do to bring in the New Year. Check this out:
The headline:
From 12 grapes to burning effigies, explore unique Latino New Year’s traditions
The article:
Guzzling champagne, partying and hugging your loved ones isn’t a bad way to spend New Year’s Eve, but for many Hispanic American households, the end of the year brings a world of traditions and superstitions.
From burning effigies to throwing a bucket of water out of the window, here are a few of the many ways some Latinos across the world like to ring in the new year.
Eating 12 grapes at midnight (This I knew about, except for the dozen number)
Perhaps the most popular New Year’s Eve tradition in Spanish-speaking countries and for Hispanic Americans is eating 12 grapes (each symbolizing the coming 12 months) as the clock strikes midnight. This is said to bring good fortune in the year ahead.
How quickly you’re supposed to eat the grapes can vary by culture. (Please don’t choke.)
Burning años viejos (Nope, never heard of this, because I am not from Ecuador or Columbia)
Families in Ecuador and parts of Colombia create effigies or dolls called años viejos (old years) that sometimes represent politicians, celebrities or personal struggles from the past year.
These are burned at midnight to symbolically leave behind the passing year and make space for a fresh start.
Walking around with luggage (Huh, nope, never heard of this)
Popular among Colombians, Mexicans and Venezuelans, walking around the block or the house with an empty suitcase symbolizes a wish for travel and adventure in the new year.
Sometimes, observers of this tradition will pack their suitcases with items representing the kind of travels they hope for.
Wearing colorful underwear (Yep, mine are year around, no tighty-whities here)
According to this widespread Latin American tradition, the color of the undergarments you wear on New Year’s Eve is believed to influence your year.
I was taught that wearing red is for love in the new year, yellow is for wealth, green is for health and white is for peace. But what a given color symbolizes can vary, so do your research!
Cleaning, sweeping (Nope, never heard of this)
Sweeping your home thoroughly on New Year’s Eve or even tossing a bucket of water out the door is said to remove negativity and bad vibes from the past year and bring good energy for the new one.
Lentils (Yep)
Lentils, while also delicious, are considered a symbol of abundance and wealth in some Latin American countries. Some people scatter raw lentils around their home, keep them in their pockets or eat them in a New Year’s dish to invite prosperity.
Throwing coins (Nope, never heard of this)
People in countries like Mexico and Peru toss coins outside their doors or into the street at midnight on New Year’s to invite financial fortune into their lives.
Variations of this tradition include carrying coins in your pockets or placing them in your shoes to ensure wealth throughout the year.
Lighting candles (Nope, never heard of this)
Lighting candles in colors that represent personal wishes is common in some Latino households.
For example, green candles bring health, and yellow candles are believed to attract abundance. Candles are often placed on an altar or in a central part of the home to set intentions for the new year.
Notably absent from Romero’s list are the pendejos who shoot off their pistolas into the air at midnight tonight. Unfortunately, this is a Latino thing. I hear the shootings and stay inside.
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“Today” host Hoda Kotb will do her last show on Friday, January 10, 2025. On the Xfinity channel guide, the “Today” listing already has a photo of current host Savannah Guthrie and soon-to-be new host Craig Melvin. Oh, well.
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In the Chron hard copy today, there are listings on where to watch fireworks shows in the H-Town area this evening, local restaurants that closed this year, and local folks who left us this year.
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I don’t know about you, but I am ready to leave 2024 behind. I can say that H-Town Mayor John Whitmire had a very good first year in office. He sent out his list of 2024 accomplishments yesterday. He got the deal with H-Town firefighters done. He got the water department billing mess under control. He is sorting through the case backload mess over at the police department. He is in the process of cleaning up the Housing Authority mess. He is not kicking cans down the road.
State Sen. Molly Cook is my new state senator for State Senate District 15.
The Astros were a disappointment if you measure them against their own standards. Getting to the playoffs isn’t enough for the orange and blue.
The election was a huge letdown for Democrats. Y’all know how I feel about how this all went down.
I am ready for 2025. Adios, 2024.
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There will be some entertaining college bowl games this afternoon including the Texas Bowl at NRG featuring the Baylor Bears and LSU Tigers. Tigers and bears, oh my.
This evening the College Football Playoffs (CFP) resume with Boise State and Penn State facing off in the Fiesta Bowl.
Tomorrow at noon the Longhorns take on Arizona State in the Peach Bowl, followed by Oregon and Ohio State in the Rose Bowl, then capped off with Georgia and Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl.
Stay safe this evening, on New Year’s Eve.
The featured photo is my family on Christmas Day.
