The celebrations of the New Year begin in many countries on the evening of December 31 (New Year’s Eve), and they continue through the early morning hours of January 1 (New Year’s Day). People frequently consume foods that they believe will bring them fortune in the year to come. Before the clock strikes midnight, people in Spain and many other Spanish-speaking nations close their vineyards as a symbol of their hopes and aspirations for the months ahead. Lentils and black-eyed peas are two examples of the types of legumes that are traditionally served on New Year’s Day around the world. It is believed that the appearance of these foods, which resemble coins, portends future financial success. Pigs often feature on the New Year’s Eve table in Cuba, Hungary, Austria, and Portugal as well as other nations since they are symbolic of the growth and wealth of other cultures. The celebration in the Netherlands, Mexico, Greece, and other countries came to a close with the cutting of cakes in the shape of rings, which represent that the new year has arrived in its whole. In the meanwhile, on New Year’s Eve, rice pudding with an almond wrapped up inside of it is presented in Sweden and Norway; it is thought that everyone who gets a nut should expect to have a prosperous year ahead of them. To welcome in the new year, people all around the world participate in a variety of rituals, some of which include viewing firecrackers and singing songs. One of these songs, “Days of yore,” is a perennial favourite in many countries where English is the primary language. It is believed that the ancient Babylonians were the first people to initiate the tradition of making New Year’s resolutions. These ancient people believed that making pledges to one’s god at the beginning of the year was the best way to secure their favour and get the year off to a good start. (It appears that they would promise to fulfil their duties and give back any ranch equipment that was seized.)