You can wash dishes on New Year's Eve, but many traditions suggest waiting until January 2nd to avoid "washing away" good fortune, while others find it's a way to start fresh; it's a personal choice balancing superstition with practicality, with some cultures viewing it as bad luck, especially for major chores on New Year's Day itself.
Some traditions warn against deep cleaning or taking out the trash on December 31st. According to New Year's superstitions, this act symbolizes expelling good luck and prosperity.
✨It's believed to wash away good luck — or even symbolize washing a loved one out of your life — so many people wait until January 2nd just to be safe. 🍀 Bonita Bell yes my mama told me to do all your chores done up on New Year's Eve.
Washing clothes on new years superstition says that doing laundry on the New Year eve will take away the good fortune of the people in the new year. Another superstition is that doing laundry on New Year day will make you do more and more laundry all the year.
Can you wash dishes on New Year's? Some believe washing dishes on New Year's could “wash away” good fortune, while others hold that creating a clean kitchen environment signifies a clean, fresh start to the year. To stay on the safe side, save your New Year's Eve dishes until January 2nd.
You can wash your hair on New Year's Eve, but some traditional beliefs, especially in Chinese culture, advise against it, fearing you'll wash away good luck or prosperity for the new year because the Chinese word for "hair" (fa) sounds like "fortune" (fa). For modern celebrations or non-Chinese New Year events, it's generally fine and a matter of personal preference, with some suggesting a daytime wash on Chinese New Year's Eve is a compromise if you're concerned about tradition.
Don't Clean Your House
Due to their ominous nature, many people avoid cleaning their houses on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. So be sure you, any guests or housemates, don't do any laundry or sweep your home. Doing the laundry is believed to result in someone dying in your household within the upcoming year.
To bring good luck on New Year's Day, eat lucky foods like black-eyed peas, greens, pork, or 12 grapes at midnight; wear specific colors like red or polka dots; make noise to scare spirits (or smash glass); perform actions like kissing at midnight or opening windows; and tidy your home to welcome abundance, avoiding sweeping out luck.
Yes, you can absolutely shower on New Year's Eve—there is no universal rule or cultural taboo that prohibits bathing during this time. In fact, taking a shower on New Year's Eve is not only safe but often encouraged as part of personal hygiene and festive preparation rituals around the world.
Don't wash clothes on New Year's Day – said to “wash away” good luck or even symbolize washing away a loved one. Eat black-eyed peas (U.S. South) – for good luck and prosperity in the coming year.
New Year's Eve offers diverse celebrations, from public fireworks displays and large parties with DJs/live music (like at Sydney Harbour or Melbourne's Skydeck) and harbour cruises, to cozy nights in with games or movies, themed parties (cirque-cabaret), or attending religious watchnight services, often involving eating, drinking, and countdowns with balloon drops. Options range from energetic events with dancing and coastal views to quiet evenings at home, with something for every preference.
Yes, you can cleanse a house at the start of the New Year, but traditions vary: many cultures believe cleaning (especially sweeping) on New Year's Day brings bad luck by sweeping away good fortune, suggesting you clean before or after the day; however, others find cleansing on New Year's or New Year's Eve a great way to set positive intentions for a fresh start, focusing on releasing old energy. It ultimately depends on your personal beliefs, with many finding a clean space supportive of new beginnings, regardless of the day.
On New Year's Eve, an Irish tradition is to open the door at midnight so as to let the old year out and allow the new year in. #NewYearsEve #holidays #NewYearsDay #12daysofchristmas🎄
You aren't supposed to do any type of cleaning. The idea is you'll wash or sweep away your good luck before the year really begins. There are dozens of other superstitions from across the globe.
It's an old superstition that says you shouldn't clean on New Year's Eve or New Year's Day because it can sweep away your good luck and blessings for the year ahead. And maybe it's also a reminder that you don't need to begin the year exhausted cleaning and doing laundry.
Can you wash dishes on New Year's? Some believe washing dishes on New Year's could “wash away” good fortune, while others hold that creating a clean kitchen environment signifies a clean, fresh start to the year. To stay on the safe side, save your New Year's Eve dishes until January 2nd.
You can wash your hair on New Year's Eve, but some traditional beliefs, especially in Chinese culture, advise against it, fearing you'll wash away good luck or prosperity for the new year because the Chinese word for "hair" (fa) sounds like "fortune" (fa). For modern celebrations or non-Chinese New Year events, it's generally fine and a matter of personal preference, with some suggesting a daytime wash on Chinese New Year's Eve is a compromise if you're concerned about tradition.
The most common New Year's Eve ritual worldwide is the countdown to midnight, often accompanied by watching fireworks, public gatherings (like Times Square or Sydney Harbour), parties with food, drink, and music, and making resolutions or setting intentions for the new year, with many traditions focusing on good luck and prosperity for the year ahead.
So yes—you absolutely can spend money on New Year's Day! Just remember: whether indulging yourself with small treats or making significant purchases aimed at enhancing quality of life throughout 2024—the spirit behind each dollar spent should resonate with intention.
1. Don't Sweep or Clean Your House
For a fun New Year's Eve at home, you can host a themed party with games and dancing, have a cozy night in with movies and comfort food, get creative with DIY decorations and crafts, or focus on reflection with journaling and planning for the year ahead, ensuring you have festive food, drinks, and a great playlist for the countdown.
Chores bring in bad luck
Another distressing belief is that doing laundry and cleaning will "wash away a loved one," meaning someone you love could die in the new year, reported CBS News. According to superstition, you'll be sweeping away good luck along with dirt and dust mites, so avoid cleaning until Jan 2nd.
Avoid Lobster, Crab & Other Crustaceans
If you don't want to experience major setbacks next year, you're going to want to avoid eating crab, lobster, and other crustaceans this New Year's. That's because these creatures move backward or sideways instead of forward.
To bring good luck in the New Year, traditions often involve lucky foods like black-eyed peas, lentils, greens (for money), and 12 grapes at midnight for each month, plus wearing colorful underwear (yellow for wealth, red for love) and ensuring your first visitor ("First Footer") brings gifts like coal or bread for prosperity. Other ideas include putting money in your shoes, placing a gold ring in your drink, clearing out debts, and even smashing plates to discard the old year's negativity.