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Whether you’re looking to spark some romance under buckets of confetti, or are simply spending the night in with your other half, the tradition of a kiss at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s is a moment to celebrate our loved ones, old and new. The holiday season features plenty of intimate traditions (think Christmas mistletoe), but why do people kiss after the celebratory New Year’s countdown? Here, we break down the tradition’s history – and ask how to make the most out of it, too.
Why do we kiss on New Year’s?
The saucy tradition of starting the New Year with a smooch can be traced back to the winter festival Saturnalia. In ancient Rome, Saturnalia was a mid-December pagan festival that honoured Saturn, the agricultural god. This celebration included decorating homes with greenery, hosting grand feasts, giving gifts, and socialising with friends and family. Sound familiar? The winter solstice also meant intoxicated merrymaking, which we can safely assume led to, well, kissing.
In the present day, the midnight kiss tradition has origins in English and German folklore. A New York Times article from 1893 notes the earliest documentation of the tradition in New York City, where German immigrants would gather among one another for the New Year with food and drink, kissing and hugging throughout. As the New Year’s Eve kiss became more mainstream, Hollywood began depicting it as a way to make your own fireworks on 31 December – as shown in various blockbusters (see: When Harry Met Sally).
How to build up to a New Year’s kiss
According to eHarmony’s relationship expert, Laurel House, the New Year’s kiss “can be like the physical fireworks that we’re seeing outside”. In a sense, the kiss is that “explosive grand finale at the end of the night”, she adds – and something that we should subtly build up to over the course of the evening.
It’s no big deal if you don’t have a kiss lined up
The idea that you have to find your perfect kiss on the night is, of course, counterproductive. Allow yourself to relax, and be open-minded about what the night will bring. “We usually end up finding the most physical, explosive connection with someone who might not be our expected attracted person,” says House. New Year’s can offer an opportunity to get out of your comfort zone if you’re craving a change. Consider making the first move at a holiday party, or even planning a first date for 31 December.
When it comes down to it, understand what a New Year’s kiss means for you. Whether you’re looking for something nurturing, exciting, or grounding, knowing what you want can make the journey there that much easier. And if you’re not a fan of the kissing tradition? “The point of New Year’s Eve isn’t about kissing. The point is ending the year feeling great,” she says. Sometimes a fantastic conversation or moment of self-care is better than a lukewarm kiss – regardless of what tradition or superstition has to say on the matter.
