On December 31st we say good bye to the old year and prepare ourselves to receive the New Year. All around the world people have different traditions and ways to receive the New Year.

In Colombia those traditions are in the form of some rituals called "agueros". They are actually some rituals that were performed back in the time on Spain and France and that after the years took the form of the now days agueros in Colombia.

This “agueros” are followed on December 31st to bring on good fortune in the New Year.  For example the tradition of wearing new clothes so the rest of the next year you will always have new clothes in your closet. We also eat 12 grapes during the final 12 seconds of the old year asking for a wish for each grape for each respective month of the year.

There is also an “aguero” of wearing yellow underwear wearing them inside out and changing them at midnight for good luck on the next year. The same “aguero” with red underwear is for good love during the year.

Another “aguero” is to broom our homes and clean them very well to take out all the bad energies; we do "saumerios" or cleansings of the homes to get rid of bad energies.

There is also an “aguero” about burning the old year (Año Viejo). We make a puppet full of fireworks and it is burned at midnight to get rid of bad feelings on the past year.

Another “aguero” is to go out at midnight with a luggage or suitcase and go around the block for travels in the next year.

All families get together with food, deserts, ron, aguardiente (alcohol beverage) and of course the grapes and champagne to toast at midnight.

The rituals (agueros) are for prosperity, health, love and happiness. However the way I see it they are more to keep families together having fun and looking forward to a better year. And I know this, because even though in my family we do not believe on this agueros we still do some of the things just to keep the culture alive and have fun.

Now, you might decide to try out one of them, they might not change your luck in 2013 but I will assure you they will provide your family with some laughs and happiness.

Happy 2013 everyone, thanks for reading and keep connected, we will have more to share with all you in the next year.


Feliz Año Nuevo

In our house traditions are very important. We are bicultural, bilingual family, so we have different ways of celebrating.

For Christmas, we have the Colombian traditions: Nativity, Baby Jesus and opening presents on the 24th at midnight. For the American tradition, there is toys from Santa and the celebration on the 25th.

It is nice to see my son is enjoying both traditions and actually requests that we continue doing them.

We also believe that:Time with you is the best gift you can give your children this holiday. Children need presence more than presents.

How do you celebrate Christmas at your house?

We are also raising money that will go to an organization in the memory of this tragedy. The organization is called The Newtown Family Youth and Family Services. Here is the official description of the support service we are donating to: 

"Newtown Youth and Family Services, Inc. is a licensed, non-profit, mental health clinic and youth services bureau dedicated to helping children and families achieve their highest potential. NYFS provides programs, services, activities, counseling, support groups and education throughout the Greater Newtown area.

ANY DONATIONS MADE TO NEWTOWN YOUTH AND FAMILY SERVICES WILL BE DONATED DIRECTLY TO THOSE EFFECTED BY THE SANDY HOOK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SHOOTING."

I do not know if you have heard about this app. I found it while looking for an iphone app that served as a pedometer. I am in love with it. Not only you can track your miles, but as you walk, run or bike you will be donating to the charity of your choice.

Charity Miles is a free app that empowers you to earn money and raise awareness for charities by walking, running or biking.

You can find it on the iphone app store

No sé si ya has escuchado acerca de esta app. Yo la encontré cuando andaba buscando apps para el teléfono que me sirvieran como podómetro para contar las millas que camino diario. Y estoy encantada con la app. No solo te sirve como podómetro sino que al caminar, correr o montar en la bici, puedes donar las millas a una organización benéfica de tu gusto.

La puedes encontrar en la tienda de app para el iphone

Disclosure: I was not compensated to write this post, I just wanted to share a cool app that I found.