​SUPERSTITIOUS BELIEFS ASSOCIATED WITH NEW YEARS DAY

As any typical Trini child my mother believed in certain traditonal practices associated with the advent of a new year. She ensured that all laundry was done and a thorough cleaning of the home be done on New Years Eve followed by burning of incense throughout the house. This was her way of conducting a spiritual cleansing of the home to get rid of negativity and any evil forces.
On New Years Day we were not allowed to sweep the house since she had grown up to believe that you would sweep away the good luck the new year ushered in. Also if you did laundry on New Years Day you will be washing away the life of a family member in the new year.
My father on the other hand believed that your wallet must always have money in it when the old year ended. This he said was to l ensure that you will always have money in your wallet throughout the New Year. These are but a view of the superstitious beliefs I remembered growing up.
What superstitious beliefs do you remember that is associated with New Years Eve or as we say in Trinbago Old Years Day. ?
It would be interesting to hear the beliefs from different parts of the world since we have members who live in many countries other than T&T so please use this opportunity to share your beliefs.
Painting courtesy Rudolph Bissessarsingh (Source: Virtual Museum of Trinidad & Tobago, Dec 28 2023)