The festive season is now upon us! As every expat knows now is the time when you really notice the local traditions of your new home. We’ve listed below some of our favourite New Year’s traditions from around the world: Ecuador Here they bring in the new year by burning paper filled scarecrows. The construction of these human-like figures is a popular family activity. The aim of burning these effigies is to symbolically say goodbye to the old year. Some will be light hearted while others will reflect events of that past year, such as prominent disliked figures. When the clock strikes midnight every home burns their dolls illuminating the streets for hours. Denmark If you live in Denmark and find a pile of broken dishes outside your house New Year’s Day you should be glad. Broken dishes are saved until New Year’s Eve and then thrown at the houses of neighbours, friends and family to bring them luck for the New Year. So in fact, many broken dishes outside your house indicates you have made many friends in your new home. Japan Buddhist temples all over Japan will be ringing their bells 108 times. In Buddhist culture this is to symbolise the 108 human sins and rid themselves of the 108 worldly desires regarding feeling and sense. They believe that the ringing of the bells will cleanse them of the previous years sins. The bell is rung 107 times on December 31st and once after midnight. So if you are away from your homes country this New Year’s be sure to check out the local customs that are happening near you.