As the new year of 2025 approaches, so does a time of resolutions, growth, and moving forward. People partake in many traditions when the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve, such as eating twelve grapes or smashing plates, but the most iconic and memorable tradition will forever be the classic New Year’s kiss.
This tradition was born in Germany, according to USA Today, and celebrates the new year with a bonfire on December 31. It was said that, during these bonfires, the kiss originated. In the 1900s, as Germans immigrated to the United States, they brought their culture and traditions with them. The New Year’s Kiss soon became a nationwide tradition in which all kinds of people, regardless of race and culture, celebrate the upcoming new year (usatoday.com).
One of the earliest midnight kisses for New Year’s Eve on record outside of Germany can be dated back to January 3, 1863, in New York, according to Time Magazine,. It is true that this does not entirely add up, but January is the first month of the year, and maybe at the time, not everyone understood that the tradition was meant for midnight as the New Year begins (time.com).
As a result of increased immigration at the turn of the Twentieth Century, Americans began to adopt the traditions of other cultures, such as those of Germany. At the time, Americans were often seen as “uptight” – leftover from the times of the Puritans’ influence, and in an attempt to rid themselves of this reputation, thought this German smooching tradition was acceptable and might hopefully allow Americans to unwind themselves a little (time.com).
This romantic tradition is popular among people of all different ages. Senior Amara Whitehurst exclaimed, “I’m excited that I am going to be able to kiss somebody that I have loved for this whole year going into the new year.”
According to Dr. Juliana Hauser, the German and English folklore behind this tradition claims that the first person you encounter after the coming of the new year sets the tone for the rest of the year. Tradition says that how this feels is relevant for the year, meaning, one’s feelings and passion for this kiss will affect the following year’s love life. Some superstitions claim that if one is single and doesn’t lock lips at midnight that person will be destined to a year of loneliness (dr-juliana.com).
New Year’s used to be celebrated during the daylight because of the lack of electricity. Luckily, now with technological advancements, we can celebrate at the exact time when the new year begins. According to USA Today, “When you get people out at night and you have more public venues for parties and you have more precise timekeeping, then people begin to celebrate New Year’s Eve” (usatoday.com).
This German tradition has so much history, emotion, and meaning behind it. It was created hundreds of years ago and is still an important part of people’s lives and the beginning of their new year.