A Bigger View Article: New Year's Around the World

In Scotland, the first person to rise on New Year's Day has a Big responsibility: to bring everyone else still in bed some spiced ale! In some countries, it obviously pays to be a late sleeper, while in others, getting things done on New Year's Day is said to bring good fortune in the New Year. Watching our episode may have inspired you to add a new tradition or a unique touch to your New Year's celebration. Let's get A Bigger View of some the New Year's traditions Sissy shared.

Say "Feliz Ano Novo" by celebrating Brazilian style. Sissy and her New Year's date, Michael, point out that Rio de Janeiro hosts the largest New Year's Eve celebration in the world. Extend it to your home by doing the following: Wear all white for good luck and toast by saying "Viva." If you live near a beach and don't mind getting a little wet, jump seven waves, throw some flowers in the water and make a wish. True believers contend that the goddess of the sea will grant your wish.

If you are planning to follow Crush Wines General Manger Tom Stephenson's recommendation and serve a nice Cava sparkling wine, you'll want to celebrate the way they do in Spain. Purchase, wash and prepare a bowl of fresh grapes. As the clock nears midnight, encourage your guests to each grab twelve grapes. At midnight, everyone should eat their twelve grapes and then wash them down with Cava. Toast by saying "Salud."

If you are a late sleeper but have some early bird guests staying over, why not celebrate the way the Scottish do? The first person to rise on New Year's Day serves spiced ale to those still in bed. If you've hosted a big party on what the Scottish call Hogmanay (pronounced "Hog-muh-NAY), or New Year's Eve, you deserve a little spoiling the next morning so encourage your early risers to spoil you. Maybe the people in your Big Life will drop off some scrambled eggs and toast with your spiced ale and treat you to a full-blown breakfast in bed. Now that's a Big way to start the New Year!

Say "Kampai" and toast the New Year with two kinds of Sake like they do in Japan. Decorate with paper lobsters (or use these as place settings and put your guest's names on them if you are serving dinner). Decorating with paper lobsters represents longevity. Also, have some bells on hand and ask your honored and cherished guests to ring the bells 108 times when the clock strikes midnight. Japanese believe this will usher out the old year and free the new one from evil.

If you love to travel, try this Mexican tradition: pack a bag and walk your suitcase around the block at midnight. People in Mexico believe that this will ensure travel in the New Year. Ladies, here's a good way to help you find a special someone to share those travels with: Mexican women wear red underwear to ensure they will find love in the New Year. Toast by saying "Salud."

Finally, leave it to the French to put the romance in a New Year's Eve celebration. Ensure a little extra affection for you and your guests and practice this French tradition: kiss under the mistletoe at midnight. Toast by saying "À votre santé."

Tell us how you're going to celebrate your New Year's and where! What are your holiday traditions? Email us at abiglife@nbcuni.com. Read more about New Year's Around the World in Sissy's Tips and our Your Big Life section to find out what other members of our community have contributed to help us all find little ways to create A Big Life.

The next time you are in New York City, stop by Crush Wines and let Tom Stephenson and his staff help you find the perfect wine for your next celebration.  

Happy New Year from everyone at A Big Life!

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