For centuries, the Spanish have been racing in it. New year Along with a festive ritual: eating twelve grapes at midnight to welcome luck and prosperity. Known as “uvas de la suerte” – which translates to grapes of luck – this aged tradition But it has found a new audience. TikTokwhere users have shared their grape-eating successes, especially in love affairs.
The grape tradition traces its roots to Spain in 1909 when Alicante grape growers promoted eating twelve grapes as a way to celebrate the New Year and bring good luck. Each grape symbolizes a month of the coming year, and eating all twelve in sync with the clock chime at midnight is said to secure luck.
Spaniards gather in plazas, in homes or in front of a live broadcast from Madrid’s Puerta del Sol, where the clock tower counts down to the new year. The challenge is to eat one grape per bell, eliminating all twelve before the final strike.
Over time, this tradition has spread to Spanish and Latin American cultures, often with creative variations. For example, some people eat grapes under the table, adding a twist to attract romantic success — a detail that TikTok users have eagerly embraced.
On TikTok, users have given the tradition a digital spin, dubbing it “#grapetheory”. Many people claim that eating twelve grapes will not only bring good luck but also increase love in the coming year.
Izzy Dwyer’s Viral TikTok Video She eats twelve grapes at midnight from last New Year, followed by a heartwarming montage of her and her boyfriend. Dwyer credits this ritual with her newfound romance.
“I saw it on TikTok [eating the 12 grapes is] You had to bring luck to your love life, and I did it with three friends. He told Metro. “One had a boyfriend, and my other friend and I were single – we’re both in relationships now.”
Another TikTok user, Liliana Tuskia, shared her experience of eating grapes in a Video Showing him sitting under a table eating his twelve grapes. The clip then cuts to footage of her wedding in August 2024. “It really works,” he wrote.
If you want to welcome the New Year with a combination of luck, love and tradition, the Spanish grape ritual is easy to try. Start by prepping your grapes – seedless grapes work best for a smoother experience, and you can peel them if needed.
As the clock strikes midnight on December 31st, eat a grape with each bell, aiming to finish all twelve before the last bell. For an extra playful twist, consider adding a personal touch, like eating grapes under a table or with a special intention in mind.
Although the tradition is rooted in superstition and fun, many TikTok users have described it as foolproof for finding love.
As Dwyer said: “You have nothing to lose, and what’s the worst that can happen?”