12 grapes, 12 wishes: the origin of this New Year's tradition

Read in EnglishOne chime, one grape, and one wish is a New Year's tradition that chokes us every December 31st, but at the same time, it is one of the favorite New Year rituals for everything it represents, and even magical, because we do it at the mystical midnight and the number 12 repeats: 12 chimes, 12 at night, 12 months, 12 grapes, 12 wishes.Because if taking out the suitcases ensures us a trip in the coming year, the grapes guarantee starting the year with goals and positive yearnings for a new season, along with a bit of adrenaline and a lot of fun, watching who can keep up with the grapes and the chimes.But this tradition, already quite widespread in Latin America, actually originates from Spain. Its history, according to the book Spain, by journalist Jeff Koehler, has two possible theories. One set in the 19th century and the second, in the early 20th century.The first theory has to do with Spanish bourgeois imitating the French bourgeois, whose New Year's Eve celebration was to eat grapes and drink sparkling wine.From there, the custom passed to the people of Madrid, who would go to Puerta del Sol to hear the midnight chimes and eat grapes, like the upper class, but ironically and as a mockery.The other dates back to the 20th century when grape producers in Aledo, Alicante, had a surplus in their harvest of white grapes and decided to sell them at a low price.These grapes are now so famous that they are known as the “lucky grapes” and are even sold in Aledo in packages of 12 in special containers to welcome the New Year.Starting the year with good wishes is always a good way to inspire yourself and decree prosperity for the new cycle that begins, so whether you eat grapes or not, the New Year's party always spreads its optimism, and we also want to share it with you with 12 tips for welcoming the New Year.