The Estonians have this belief that if they eat 7, 9 or 12 meals then they will have the power and vitality of that much number of men in the coming year. And this gastronomical feat also ensures that there is an abundance of food for the person and his family. The meals are not small and include sauerkraut, blood sausage and boiled hogshead. The only relieving aspect is that one is supposed to leave food from each meal, basically as an offering for all the ancestors and their spirits that might pay a visit to the house later at night.
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The world knows about the ball drop of Times Square, and this is a national tradition in the USA where many cities organize their own ball dropping countdowns. The custom which was started in 1908 has been taken by many different cities where varied things and even people are placed in the ball. One of the most controversial drops occurs in the region of Brasstown, NC, and here a live opossum is actually lowered into the glass pyramid before starting the countdown. This bewildered, but unharmed creature is later released into the wild.
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In many countries, it is believed that one should wear colorful and newly purchased knickers to influence the New Year in a positive way. In South America, different colors signify different things; yellow is selected for wealth and green is chosen to have Hope. In fact, some people also say that one should wear their undergarments inside out and on top of the clothes, that is for extra luck.
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