did you know...
The Spanish usher in New Year with grapes?

IN Austria, the suckling pig is a symbol for good luck in the New Year. It's served on a table decorated with tiny edible pigs. In England, the British place their fortunes for the coming year in the hands of their first guest. They believe the first visitor of each year should be a male and bearing gifts, he should enter through the front door and leave through the back. In Wales at the first toll of midnight, the back door is opened and then shut to release the old year and lock out all of its bad luck. Then at the twelfth stroke of the clock, the front door is opened and the New Year is welcomed with all of its luck.

* While the Spanish think when the clock strikes midnight, they should eat 12 grapes, one with every toll, to bring good luck for the 12 months ahead, in Peru, a 13th grape must be eaten to assure good luck.

* In Greece, a special New Year's bread is baked with a coin buried in the dough. The first slice is for the Christ child, the second for the father of the household and the third slice is for the house. If the third slice holds the coin, spring will come early that year.

n The Japanese decorate their homes as a tribute to lucky gods. For the Chinese New Year, every front door is adorned with a fresh coat of red paint. Red is a symbol of good luck and happiness.

* The Norwegians make rice pudding at New Year's and hide one whole almond within. Guaranteed wealth goes to the person whose serving holds the lucky almond.

— Compiled by Gaurav Sood