GLOBETROTTING
How do other countries celebrate the new year?

The Netherlands
It’s traditional to consume ring-shaped food (such as a doughnut) to symbolise turning a full circle.

USA
Black-eyed peas (usually with ham) are eaten for good fortune.

Asia
Rice is eaten to signify a good harvest in the coming year. This staple symbolises wealth and prosperity for many rice-growing families.

Colombia, Cuba and Puerto Rico
In these countries, a life-sized doll called Mr Old Year, is stuffed with mementoes of the past year and dressed in old clothes. At midnight on 31 December he is set on fire.

Italy
Italians wear red underwear as a symbol of good luck for the coming year.

THE 10 RESOLUTIONS THAT ARE HARDEST TO KEEP
You can be proud of yourself if you tick one of these off your 2012 to-do list.

1. Learn something new. Whether it’s speaking French, cooking like a pro or playing an instrument, you have to really commit to this one.
2. Join the gym – and go. Every year millions of memberships lie dormant or are cancelled.
3. Quit smoking. Only 15% of quitters are still nicotinefree by June.
4. Go on a diet. We’ve all done it, and many of us have failed dismally.
5. Get out of debt or save more money. Good intentions, but then those clearance sales begin…
6. Spend more time with the family. Unfortunately, our lives are so busy, it’s easy to forget to set aside a few hours for this one.
7. Travel and explore different cultures. But for that you need at least some cash, and if number five didn’t pan out…
8. Ditch stress and say goodbye to unnecessary drama. But the daily grind always seems to catch up to you, doesn’t it? Deep breaths, you can do it.
9. Volunteer for charity. Put yourself second for a little while this year.
10. Drink less. Be it fizzy drinks or something with a little more kick, see if you can stay on the wagon.

QUICKIE FACT
Julius Caesar was the first ruler to set 1 January as New Year’s Day when he established the Julian calendar in 45 BCE.