Scarecrow burning — Ecuador

To banish any ill fortune or bad things that happened in the past year, Ecuadorians set fire to scarecrows filled with paper at midnight on New Year’s Eve. They also burn photographs of things that represent the past year, which leads us to believe that New Year is just a thinly veiled excuse for Ecuadorian pyromaniacs to set things on fire.

Round things — Philippines

In the Philippines New Year is about one thing and one thing only — cold hard cash. Hoping to bring prosperity and wealth for the year ahead, Filipino people try to use as many round things as possible to represent coins and wealth. Round clothes, round food, you name it; if it’s round, they want in.

Broken plates — Denmark

If you’re ever in Denmark and wake up to find a pile of smashed crockery outside your door, you’ve either annoyed the local chapter of the Women’s Institute or its New Year’s Eve. Unused plates are saved up all year until the 31st of December, when they are hurled at the front doors of your friends and family in a strangely vandalistic display of affection.

Eating 12 grapes — Spain

As the clock counts down to 12 and people around the world are preparing to watch fireworks and drunkenly kiss each other, Spaniards are staring at bunches of grapes with a steely gaze. This challenge involves stuffing your face with 12 grapes, one for every ring of the bell. Succeed and you’ve got good luck for the year ahead.

Takanakuy Festival — Peru

This annual Peruvian festival held at the end of December is all about people beating the living daylights out of each other. Competitors face off in a ring for a round of bare-knuckle brawling, which is overseen by local policemen. Takanakuy literally means “when the blood is boiling,” but apparently all of the fights are friendly, and represent a fresh start for the year.

108 rings — Japan

Think the countdown of 12 rings takes too long? Try 108 on for size. In Japan, bells ring 108 times in a Buddhist tradition that is believed to banish all human sins. It’s also good luck to be smiling or laughing going into the New Year, but who knows how you can be in a good mood after having to sit through that prolonged ringing.

Colored underwear — South America

In South American countries such as Mexico, Bolivia and Brazil, your fortunes for the year ahead are all decided by your underpants. Those who want to find love wear red underwear for New Year, whilst gold diggers should opt for yellow, which brings wealth and luck. If you’re just after a bit of peace for the New Year, some white pants should do the trick nicely.