Eating 12 grapes in midnight

In Spain, the traditoon of eating “12 grapes on New Year’s Eve” is a beloved and time-honored ritual. Known as “las doce uvas de la suerte” (the twelve lucky grapes), this custom symbolizes good luck and prosperity for the coming year.
At the stroke of midnight, as the clock chimes 12 times, people across Spain quickly eat one grape with each chime. This practice requires speed and precision, often leading to laughter and a bit of chaos as people race to keep up. Each grape represents one of the 12 months of the year, and successfully finishing them all is said to ensure a year of good fortune and happiness.
The tradition originated in the early 20th century, reportedly as a marketing ploy by grape growers in Alicante who had a surplus of their harvest.
The 12 grapes are more than a superstition; they bring people together in a moment of shared joy, hope, and renewal as they bid farewell to the old year and welcome the new.