Buzz
As midnight arrives on New Year's Eve, marking the shift to the new year, millions of people will put aside past relationship issues and lock lips with their partner. Some may even kiss a stranger, or perhaps both.
But what’s the origin of this practice? When did kissing become a staple of New Year's celebrations?
According to Reader’s Digest, the roots of this tradition trace back to the debauched revelers of ancient Rome. During Rome's Saturnalia festival, held from December 17 to December 23 in honor of the god Saturn, participants indulged in excessive drinking and, it seems, didn’t shy away from a lot of kissing.
Romans didn’t see kissing as part of a specific tradition. That distinction belongs to the Vikings, who marked a winter celebration called Hogmanay by greeting each other with a kiss to wish a happy new year. These weren’t necessarily romantic gestures but friendly exchanges between loved ones.
The custom spread across various cultures and likely made its way to America through German immigrants in the 1800s. An early recorded mention in 1863 highlights that “hearty kisses” were exchanged at midnight during German celebrations. The practice quickly gained popularity in the U.S., becoming as common as toasting.
Another reason for the tradition’s rise in popularity could be the introduction of electricity. With the arrival of light bulbs, gatherings at midnight became more feasible, which in turn led to an increase in festive celebrations.
