Do you eat 12 grapes on New Year’s Eve?

As New Year’s Eve approaches, traditions and rituals come into focus. One custom, well known in Spain, involves eating 12 grapes as the clock strikes midnight, with each grape said to bring good luck for the months ahead. We asked our readers: do you eat 12 grapes on New Year’s Eve? The responses offered a snapshot of how people spend the night, mixing cultural traditions, early nights and a fair amount of humour.

Some respondents embraced the grape-eating ritual, particularly when it is tied to where they live or who they celebrate with. Archie Rainier was clear in their answer, saying, “Yes it’s their tradition and we live here.” Following local customs was echoed by Sandra Daniels, who simply noted, “When in Spain”. For others, the tradition is happily combined with a glass of something celebratory. Leroy Asher replied, “yes, with champagne!” suggesting that grapes can fit neatly alongside more familiar New Year indulgences.

For many people, however, grapes are not part of their plans at all. Several pointed out that it is simply not their tradition. Richard Webb stated, “No, I don’t like grapes and not my tradition”, while Angela Edgley explained, “No, we’re in bed by 11pm. We’d rather enjoy grapes with some good cheeses at a sensible time of day.” Comfort and calm were also priorities for Judith D Altavista, who shared, “I am in bed with my cats before midnight.”

A number of comments leaned into humour and honesty about how New Year’s Eve really unfolds. Carole Penman admitted, “Always forget to buy the grapes, does a couple of glasses of wine count”. Robert Riley offered his own alternative tradition, saying, “No as it’s not my tradition. Maybe eat 12 sausage rolls with a few drams though”. Patrice Sn’Aubrac was even more direct with, “12 pints by 10pm, more than likely!” Stephen Cosgrove reflected on years of attempts, noting, “Over 23 years we’ve attempted to, on occasion when we’ve gone out to a venue for NYE, In the time allotted never managed it fully. Usually well inebriated to want to try and too inebriated to manage it.”

In conclusion, while the tradition of eating 12 grapes does have its supporters, most people said no. Whether due to different customs, early nights or alternative treats, it seems many prefer to welcome the New Year in their own familiar way.

See last week’s EWN poll