Release today what you don’t want to bring into the new year! There isn’t a long history of celebrating New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day in Sicily. Only over the past century has it become a milestone holiday. Therefore, modern Sicilians celebrate New Year’s Italian-style–eating sausage (cotechino), grapes, and lentils. (Lentils, with their coin-shape, are thought to bring good fortune for the year ahead.) Throwing away (often out the nearest window) or burning what you no longer need is also practiced leading up to midnight. Oh, and wear something red (underwear is a favorite) for good fortune as well!

Wherever you are, celebrate safely and joyfully! Happy New Year!