New Year's Traditions in Italy

Italians are no different than us in wanting to bring good luck in the new year.
1. Banish past bad luck - and old pans - Italian Style! Traditionally Italians, and particularly in southern Italy, have launched there celebrations on New Year's Eve...by throwing old pots, pans, clothes, appliances, even furniture out the window! It is meant to symbolize "letting go" of the past unhappiness and to prepare yourself for the future. However, most Italians HAVE abandoned the tradition, but if you happend to be in Southern Italy and especially Naples, on New Year's Eve, do watch your head!
2. Fire up the Yule Log one last time! Another tradition is to fire up the Christmas log on the last day of the year. Turns out, evil spirits don't like fire! It's also a gesture of invitation to the Virgin Mary, who can warm newborn Jesus next to the warm flames.
3. Wear red undies to ring in luck! Yep, that's right: Red underwear brings luck. This goes for men and women. So if you happen to be in Italy this time of the year that would explain all the red underthings hanging in the shop windows.
4. Eat the right dishes for a wealthy New Year! Just like in the US, the Italians like eating certain foods for good wealth. Different parts of the country do different things. Rice represents coins, lentils symbolizes wealth, and raisins represents good luck.
5. GIve treats to make the New Year sweet! To enjure a sweet new year, ancient Romans gave each other jars of dates and figs in honey, along with a bay branch for good fortune. This hasn't changed much, and today people exchange figs wrapped in laurel leaves.
6. Fireworks are huge! Fireworks and lots of noise also schare the bad spirits away. hmmm, maybe thats why we use noise makers..... So of course they have lots of firework displays throughout Italy! Practically every city, and many of Italy's towns put on a dazzling display!
Felice Anno Nuovo!!!!!