While spending New Year's Eve in a cemetery might seem macabre to some, in Chile, New Year's Eve mass in a cemetery gives folks a chance to celebrate and spend time with deceased loved ones. In Denmark it is perfectly acceptable to throw and smash dishes against the doors of your neighbors and friends; this is a way to wish them luck in the new year by getting any adversity out of their lives before the stroke of midnight.

In Italy folks delight in wearing red underwear for the New Year. Because red is a sign of fertility, it's worn by those hoping for new life in the coming year. Growth and rebirth are also important in Greece, where they hang pungent onions in their doorways on New Year's Eve, the onion's steadfast resolve to keep growing makes it a symbol of development and growth.

People in the Philippines eat 12 fruits, one for each of the months in the coming year. Their children are encouraged to jump up and down so that they will grow taller in the new year, and many wear polka dots and carry round coins to promote abundance and prosperity in the year ahead. In Spain, they eat exactly 12 grapes at the stroke of midnight; although this tradition was started by vine growers to help boost sales, Spaniards now eat one grape per bell toll at midnight to symbolize the sweetness of the 12 months in the new year.

In Scotland folks celebrate a simple event called "First Footing" -- whoever steps over their doorways after the clock strikes midnight on De. 31 will help to foretell the coming year's fortune. If it's a dark-haired man or someone bearing gifts then the coming year will be prosperous. In Austria and some other German speaking countries, lead charms are melted and the lead (Bleigiessen) hardens when poured in water into shapes, which forecast the events of the coming year.

In Brazil, folks come to the shore with armfuls of white flowers and candles and cast them into the water as offerings to the sea goddess Yemanja in hopes of receiving blessings in the coming year. In Japan in a popular Buddhist tradition, a bell is rung 108 times on Dec. 31 to defend against the "108 sins of the flesh", immoral behaviors. And in Ecuador people create scarecrows bearing resemblance to politicians and cultural icons -- they parade around with them on Dec. 31 and, at the stroke of midnight, burn them completely to cleanse the new year of anything evil.

All these New Year celebrations are based on the Gregorian calendar, January through December, which is based on the solar system, or earth's revolution around the sun. Jan. 1 is only one of more than two dozen new years celebrated worldwide, using different calendars based on lunar months, harvests and more. Other celebrations include the Chinese New Year, Rosh Hashana, Diwali, Tet (Vietnamese), Tamil and more. Every new year celebration represents a new beginning and each carries traditions to foster good fortune in the coming year.

In America many New Year traditions include noise or fireworks, thought to ward off evil spirits, food, and friendships. Couples often share a kiss at the stroke of midnight in the hopes of spending the next year with that person. Certain foods and dishes symbolizing prosperity, are eaten with gusto, such as pork, black-eyed peas and cabbage. New York City, thought to be one of the world's most iconic places to spend New Year's Eve, has a tradition of lowering a lit and festive ball down a pole atop a tall building at the stroke of midnight to formally announce a new beginning; this has been done every year (except during WWII) since 1902.

There are several other spots worldwide that are known for their New Year's Eve celebrations and attract visitors from all over. Some of the more notable spots include Venice, Italy, with its canals; Cape Town, South Africa, which is known for its live bands, eateries, and carnival characters; Las Vegas, Nevada which manages to outdo its normal glitz; Amsterdam, Netherlands, which hosts FREE events and celebrations; and Vancouver, Canada, for its all-night party cruises.

Wishing you a Happy New Year!