The way your grandparents commemorated the New Year might have something to do with your roots. In Scotland, New Year's Eve, or Hogmanay, as they call the last day of the year, is a bigger deal than Christmas ("Auld Lang Syne" is a Scottish song, after all). The massive party goes on for days and incorporates age-old acts, such as first-footing. It's considered good luck to have a tall, dark-haired man enter the home for the first time after midnight—bearing auspicious gifts, of course (coal, shortbread, salt, and whiskey are common).

Germany has Bleigiessen, a "lead-pouring" custom, and the Irish apparently bang bread against the walls to beat off bad luck. You could also coordinate your underwear to your hopes for the year (red for love, yellow for happiness, and so on)—a Latin American custom. Start calling your Christmas tree a New Year's tree, as they do in Russia or participate in a Canadian-inspired polar bear plunge.

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