10+ Things to Do on New Year’s for Good Luck 2025

Last updated on December 23rd, 2024

Looking for things to do on New Year’s for good luck? These timeless traditions have been practiced for generations! 

After the challenges of the past few years, many of us are paying close attention to these good luck traditions for the new year as we step into 2025. 

The best part? Because these good luck traditions are so easy and don’t require anything crazy, you might as well tip the odds more in your favor!

Good Luck Traditions for the New Year

So, Christmas is over, and New Year’s Eve is quickly approaching. This is the time when I always think about good luck traditions for the new year.

For some reason, I’ve always been somewhat of a superstitious person. In particular, I really don’t like the number 13. 

In fact, I avoid it at all costs! Anything I can do to increase my chances of good luck for the new year, I’m all ears!

Clearly, I’ve done plenty of research. I’ve found that some good luck traditions for the new year are done before, during, and after the stroke of midnight.

Good Luck Traditions for the New Year Before New Year’s Eve

There are plenty of good luck traditions for the new year in the USA. Here’s a quick roundup of what I like to do before it is officially January 1st.

1. Cleaning the House

It’s considered good luck to clean your house thoroughly before the New Year begins. It’s all about starting fresh and sweeping out bad luck or negativity!

2. Decluttering and Donating

My household also has a New Year tradition of decluttering and donating. 

Getting rid of unwanted items and donating them to charity is seen as a way to make space for new opportunities and good fortune.

And you can donate unwanted items to Goodwill, Salvation Army, local thrift stores, churches, homeless shelters, or food banks.

I like to post photos on online platforms like Freecycle – someone is always ready to pick up your stuff.

3. Stock Up On Food & Money For A Lucky New Year

Needless to say, stocking up on food and money will bring you prosperity for the upcoming year.

Yes, I know, after shelling out a lot of money for Christmas gifts, this might be a tough one. But having a bit in reserve helps you through the darker, colder winter months. 

That’s why it’s important to budget hard and not spend too much during Christmas. I know it’s hard!

Good Luck Traditions for the New Year on New Year’s Eve 

Here are some things you can do on New Year’s Eve to increase your luck in the new year.

1. Celebrate with Family & Friends

Naturally, celebrating with family and friends is supposed to chase away bad luck and bring good luck.

Without a doubt, you can’t have bad luck if you have a good support system of family and friends, right?

2. Make Noise!

Clearly, do anything you can to make noise!

For instance, play drums, set off fireworks, or beat cymbals.

In any event, it is thought that making some sort of noise will chase away evil spirits.

3. Kiss at Midnight

One of the most popular New Year’s traditions for good luck is that midnight kiss!

Kissing at midnight is a symbol that your affection and closeness will last all year, bringing luck to your relationship.

Not to mention, it just happens to be fun too!

What to do After Midnight on January 1st for a Lucky New Year

Finally, here are several traditions for a lucky new year to do anytime after the clock strikes 12:00 on January 1st.

1. Eat Round Fruits

Eating round fruits brings good luck — it symbolizes prosperity and completeness, as their shape is like coins and cycles. 

Eating 12 grapes is a great thing to do for New Year good luck. Each grape represents each month of the year, inviting good luck and positive energy throughout.

2. Eat Black Eyed Peas & Lentils

Eating black-eyed peas and lentils brings good luck and prosperity. This is because they look just like coins when they’re cooked.

So you might be getting the theme here – eat round things that look like coins to invite in the good luck!

3. Eat Pork

Believe it or not, eating pork brings good luck!

This is because pigs symbolize progress and forward momentum, as they root forward while searching for food.

So why don’t you celebrate the new year with some slow-cooked pork stew (my recipe).

4. Make Hoppin John

What is Hoppin John? Well, it’s a great New Year’s Day recipe that includes those traditional good-luck foods: black-eyed peas and pork.

I’ve got an easy recipe for Hoppin John right here. I eat it every New Year’s Day for extra good luck!

And it’s so delicious too, so why not guarantee your good luck while eating something really yummy?

Serve it with a side of green veggies and eat those 12 grapes for dessert, and you might just be the luckiest person you know!

5. Eat Green Vegetables

Eating green vegetables brings good luck and prosperity because the color green symbolizes money.

6. Two Foods You Should Not Eat

As for things not to do on New Year’s Day, it’s eating chicken and turkey. 

Why, might you ask? They supposedly bring you bad luck because they scratch backward.

Hmmm. Who knew?

7. Be the First Footer or Lucky Bird

Another tradition for a lucky New Year is the “First Footer” or “Lucky Bird” tradition.

The first footer is the first person to cross the threshold into the home on New Year’s Day. This person needs to be the most prosperous, and usually a tall, dark, and handsome man! Oh, and they have to enter with the right foot first. 

In fact, this is a good luck tradition for the New Year around the world – especially in Asia.  

In contrast, a woman or light-haired male is considered to be unlucky as the first person to cross the threshold. Who knew?

So, be sure that if you’re having a New Year’s Eve party, invite your favorite tall, dark, and handsome male friend. And make sure he isn’t inside the house when the clock strikes midnight!

He can walk right in after midnight and give you good fortune for the upcoming year.

Bad Luck Traditions to Stay Away From for a Lucky New Year

Here’s a couple of bad luck New Year superstitions. 

1. Don’t Allow Anything to Leave the House on January 1st

One thing that is believed to bring bad luck is letting anything leave the house on the first day of the year.

Not even trash!

So, wait to take your trash out, or anything else for that matter, until January 2nd!

2. Don’t Do Laundry or Wash Dishes

Another thing that is believed to bring bad luck is to do laundry or wash dishes on New Year’s Day.

Hallelujah! I now know that I have one day a year with the best excuse ever not to wash dishes or do laundry!

Why, because it will bring us bad luck of course!

Sing Auld Lang Syne

In conclusion, I’d like to include the words to the famous song sung at the stroke of midnight, Auld Lang Syne:

Should auld acquaintance be forgot
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
And the days of auld lang syne?

For auld lang syne, my dear
For auld lang syne
We’ll drink a cup of kindness yet
For the sake of auld lang syne

And surely you will buy your cup
And surely I’ll buy mine!
We’ll take a cup of kindness yet
For the sake of auld lang syne

We two have paddled in the stream
From morning sun till night
The seas between us Lord and swell
Since the days of auld lang syne

For old acquaintance be forgot
And never brought to mind
Should old acquaintance be forgot
For the sake of auld lang syne?

For old acquaintance be forgot
And never brought to mind
Should old acquaintance be forgot
In the days of auld lang syne?

For auld lang syne, my dear
For auld lang syne
We’ll drink a cup of kindness yet
For the sake of auld lang syne

This won’t necessarily bring you good luck, but you will be admired by all of your friends for knowing all of the words to this centuries old song!

Have Fun and Stay Safe

Above all, have fun and stay safe on New Year’s Eve.

And here’s to a happy, prosperous, and lucky new year!

Lord knows we can all use it!

If you’re looking for some delicious cocktails to drink for New Year’s Eve, click on over to:

New Year’s Eve Cocktails: 16 Sparkling Bubbly Cocktails to Celebrate With.

For more on the inside scoop regarding anything New Year’s related, like what color underwear you should be wearing (Really?), you have to get this book, New Years Customs, Traditions, & Superstitions From Around the World.

Happy New Year!!