Huh? Why Do Some People Eat 12 Grapes Under a Table on New Year’s Eve?

If you could wish your soulmate into your life, would you? While it might sound like a storyline out of a fairytale or a scene from a romantic movie, many people actually think it’s possible to do. In fact, some believe love can be set into motion as the clock strikes midnight on December 31 thanks to the magic of a New Year’s Eve tradition where you eat grapes during the last seconds of night while you’re sitting under a table.

If you partake in the “12 grapes under the table for New Years” ritual and follow the rules that go along with it precisely, it’s in those moments when the universe is supposed to start guiding you toward the person you were always meant to find. Then, in the new year, everything will start to fall into place.

For some, it may happen right away, and for others, it may take several months. However, according to this tradition, no matter when you meet your one true love, it will happen in the most unexpected and wonderful way, like a well-written script where the characters finally meet, and it’s like they were destined to be together all along.

To find out more about this NYE tradition and the specific instructions one must follow for it to work, keep reading! After all, if you’ve been searching for the love of your life and haven’t been having any luck, this may change everything for you and lead you to finding your happily ever after in 2025.

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12 Grapes Under the Table Meaning

In Spain, there’s a beloved tradition that takes the celebration to the next level—eating 12 grapes under the table! While it may sound odd, each grape represents a month in the year and the meaning behind eating them is quite romantic as many say if you wish for love on each one, it’ll come true in the New Year. It’s like a way to cast a love spell on yourself and dates back to the late 1800s.

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What Happens if You Eat 12 Grapes Under the Table on New Year’s?

It’s believed that successfully completing the twelve grapes ritual can lead you to meeting your soulmate. As the tale goes, if you eat a grape every time the clock chimes at midnight, you’re setting your intentions into motion and it’s supposed to be the first step toward bringing someone into your life.

In fact, over the last couple of years, the enchanting tradition has become a huge trend on TikTok and Instagram, with many people joining in, including Candace Cameron Bure’s daughter, Natasha Bure. While the actress wasn’t sure if it would work or not last December, she decided to give it a try and even recorded a cute video of herself eating twelve grapes under a table on NYE.

Fast forward to 2024 and it seems to have worked, as now she’s in the sweetest relationship with actor and YouTuber Bradley Steven Perry. It just goes to show that sometimes, all it takes is a simple wish, a little faith, and the magic of the New Year to lead you straight to love.

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12 Grapes Under the Table Rules

While the specifics of the tradition can vary slightly, if you want to join in on this delightful ritual there are a few key rules you must follow:

Get the Right Grapes

Traditionally, green grapes are the go-to choice, though some people prefer to mix it up with red or black grapes based on their personal taste. While it’s not a strict requirement, using Aledo grapes is considered the most authentic way to honor this festive custom.

Don’t Peek Before Midnight

In some versions of this tradition, it’s said that you should not peek at the grapes before the clock strikes twelve on December 31. Doing so is thought to spoil the luck they have and affect whether or not they will work their magic.

Where You Eat the Grapes Matters

If you want this ritual to work, you can’t just eat the grapes anywhere in your home. The tradition states you need to get under a table and eat them there. Why? It’s meant to be a way of letting go of the past year and starting fresh.

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All Grapes Must Be Consumed

Remember, this tradition isn’t just about eating any amount of grapes, it’s about eating twelve of them. If you miss even one grape, don’t expect it to work.

Timing is Key

As midnight approaches, the clock will chime twelve times. Each chime is important as every one represents a month from the new year and invites love to come into your life during that time, so you must eat one grape each time you hear a chime.

You Must Make 12 Wishes

As you eat each grape, you must make a wish for the new year. Since there are twelve chimes, you get twelve wishes!

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