1. French New Year
The French New Year was originally on April 1st every year. But in 1564, King Charles IX changed the New Year to January 1st. On New Year’s Eve, French families reunite and drink champagne. According to tradition, every family needs to drink all the wine in their collection on New Year’s Eve to avoid bad luck in the coming year. Everyone must get drunk so that the new year will have a new beginning. On the morning of January 1st, parents will give their children “lucky money” to show their love and care for their children
The French believe that the weather in the New Year indicates the New Year’s year. In the early morning of the New Year, they will go to the street to predict the blessing by the wind direction. Divination: If the wind blows from the south, it means good weather and good harvest, and the year will be peaceful and hot; if the wind blows from the west, it will be a good year for fishing and milking; if the wind blows from the east, it will be a good year for fruit harvest; if the wind blows from the north, it will be a poor year.
Business opportunities: incense sets, party costumes, disposable plates, kitchen supplies, etc.
2. Italian New Year
New Year is an important traditional festival in Italy. On New Year’s Eve, people will set off fireworks and firecrackers non-stop. They believe that the noise on New Year’s Eve can drive away evil spirits and bring good luck in the new year. They will also break everything that can be broken, from small dishes to large jars, and throw all the fragments into the street. On New Year’s Day, every household will burn a strong fire in the house all day long and cannot extinguish it. Because they believe that fire comes from the sun, if the fire is extinguished in the New Year, there will be no sunlight in the next year, which will bring bad luck.
Business opportunities: products that can make lively sounds, such as dishes, small speakers, and hand claps.
3. Portuguese New Year
New Year is a traditional festival in Portugal. It is still the peak season for bullfighting around the New Year, so watching bullfighting performances has become the biggest event in Portugal’s New Year. Before the performance, the tip of the bull’s horn has been sawed off, and the remaining part is wrapped with cotton cloth, and the depth of the bullfighter’s spear piercing the bull’s body shall not exceed 5 cm. Therefore, the bullfighting performance in the Portuguese New Year is safe.
Business opportunities: banners, flags, small trumpets, hand clapping, etc.
4. Brazilian New Year
“Searching for blessings” is a unique New Year activity in Brazil. After the New Year’s bell rings, Brazilians hold torches high and climb mountains enthusiastically. They search for golden birch fruits that symbolize happiness along the way. It is said that only brave people can find golden birch fruits. In rural areas, there is also a unique traditional custom, that is, everyone pulls each other’s ears. When people meet in the New Year, they will pull each other’s ears hard to express their blessings.
Business opportunities: hiking clothes, hiking poles, sports shoes, etc.