Can the 12 Grapes Tradition on New Year’s Eve Really Manifest Love?

The classic New Year’s tradition had Gen Zs, particularly singletons, flocking to their local grocery stores to ensure romance is in the cards for 2025

On New Year’s Eve, there’s the usual champagne toasts and countdown kisses, but now there’s a fresh way to welcome the new beginnings with positive energy, hopeful intentions, and maybe even a little romance. In recent years, this tradition—which involves some iteration of eating exactly 12 grapes as the clock strikes midnight, often while crouched under a table—has been doing rounds on TikTok, internationally and locally. Many netizens even claim that this is the secret to finding love during the year ahead. 

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The Luck & Love Tradition

The tradition of eating twelve grapes at midnight isn’t just something someone on the internet made up—it’s a centuries-old custom rooted in Spanish culture. Known as ‘uvas de la suerte’ or ‘grapes of luck,’ this ritual is practiced in Spain, parts of Latin America, and the Caribbean. As the clock strikes twelve on New Year’s Eve, people eat one grape for each chime, making a wish for each month of the coming year. Now, TikTokers are adding a twist to the tradition, claiming that the ‘grape theory’ brings not just luck, but love. Some viral videos show that the ritual has sparked romances and even helped some find their soulmate in the year ahead.

^{‘Uvas de la suerte,’ a centuries-old Spanish tradition, has people eating twelve grapes at midnight on New Year’s Eve, each representing a wish for the coming year—and now, even sparking love}

Under the Table and Into the New Year?

The big question is: do you have to do it under the table? While the grapes are really the fundamental part of the tradition, some claim you need to be under a table to make the ritual even more powerful, while others suggest wearing red underwear for extra luck—yet another Spanish custom said to bring fortune. These additions, however, are optional, and the grapes remain the core of the tradition. The “under-the-table” idea may have originated in Peru, symbolizing protection while seeking love. These playful twists show how traditions can evolve, adapting to personal beliefs while still connecting us to our cultural roots. Ultimately, it’s not about the extras, but the significance of the grapes themselves and your wishes.

Speed-Eating Your Way to 2025

Here’s the thing—this tradition isn’t for the slow and steady. Celebrants need to start snacking fast when the clock hits midnight, and to make sure you’re in the running for all that good luck, you’ll need to finish all twelve grapes before the clock strikes 12:01. So, while speed is essential, just be careful not to let your enthusiasm lead to any choking hazards. It’s a race against the clock, but the rewards (hopefully!) are worth it.

@bretmanrock

Just like magic like I said it’s Green Undies year

♬ original sound – bretmanrock

@lexisisneros

get your grapes ready ladies

♬ we broke up lol – gatchi

@gerryberry__

i had nothing to lose.. just try ok #12grapechallenge

♬ original sound – Gerald – Gerald

@randomrepublika

PATI SI KATHRYN! Ang cute! Box-office queen #KathrynBernardo joins the eating-grapes-under-the-table trend on New Year’s Eve. Eating 12 grapes within the first minute of the new year is believed to bring good fortune for the year ahead. Kathryn embraced the custom while dressed in a blue and white polka dot tube top. She also jumped in place to attract even more good luck (or some believe to grow taller!). Screenshots courtesy of Mommy #MinBernardo #MommyMin #12grapesunderthetable #12grapes #grapestrend

♬ Happy New Year 2025 – Sunny

As Spanish TikToker Bianca Romero puts it, “It’s fun… it’s silly, it’s almost impossible to eat all the grapes at once. If you can do it, or get close to it, it’s just meant to bring more blessings and good luck for you in the coming year.” While TikTokers have added their own spins—like claiming it’s the key to finding love—Romero clarifies that the tradition’s true purpose is much simpler. “The whole point of it is for good luck and blessings for the new year. It’s bizarre to me to go on TikTok and see a different version of it… it has nothing to do with getting a husband or getting engaged or love. I guess you could wish for love if that’s the main thing you want next year, but that’s not the main purpose of it – it’s just… good luck and blessings.”

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Photos and Featured Image: SOCARRAT NYC, THE ADVERTISER (via Website)

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Can the 12 Grapes Tradition on New Year’s Eve Really Manifest Love?
Source: Insta News Pinoy