Why Do People Kiss at Midnight on New Year’s Eve?

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I am sitting here thinking about the new year to come and hoping I can make it to midnight to ring in the new year (sleep deprived as a new mom is an understatement). Then it hit me, “Why Do People Kiss at Midnight on New Year’s Eve?”.

Well, my friends, I did my research so if you are wondering too, you should stay right here because I am about to tell you…

Why Do People Kiss at Midnight on New Year’s Eve?

Depending on what era you want to get a history lesson on, the traditional kiss at midnight means something different. As of now, the kiss at midnight on New Year’s Eve represents a strengthening romance with the person you share a kiss with. Without kissing at midnight, you could result in having a lonely and loveless year to come.

It wasn’t always that belief. In fact, in the 8th century B.C. when Ancient Romans held the Festival of Saturnalia in mid-December, it was basically an all-goes type of party. Including romance – if you get what I mean. That meant lots of kissing well into the new year.

During the Renaissance era, masquerade balls were all the rage in Europe. The masks worn during these balls were to symbolize the evil spirits of the previous year. At midnight, the masks were removed and a kiss was the purifying force that would banish the evil and kick off the new year with a clean slate.

During the last few decades the meaning behind the New Year’s Eve kiss has become more of a way to bring good luck to a relationship. We can thank the English and German folklore for that!

So, whatever your personal reasoning may be behind kissing someone at midnight, make it a good one because everyone else over the years have.

Cheers to 2019!

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