How did the eating 12 grapes under the table tradition start? Origin, rules, and all about the viral New Year's TikTok trend 

As the new year approaches, TikTok users are embracing the tradition of consuming 12 grapes as the clock strikes midnight. The trend that originated in Spain has taken over the internet in recent years, with many manifesting luck in love for the year ahead. The practice has spread virally across the world and has subsequently led to a surge in sales of the fruit as well.

There have been many variations of the 12 grapes trend on TikTok, but it has commonly been used by platform users to manifest new relationships into their lives.

TikTok user Izzy Dwyer whose December 2023 video on it went viral, explained to Metro on December 31, that she once saw a TikTok video where a woman explained that the trend would bring “luck” into her “love life,” so she decided to do the same with her friends. Dwyer revealed that after she and her friends took part in the trend, they ended up being in relationships subsequently.

Explaining the tradition, Kevin Thompson, the founder, and CEO of 9i Capital Group, told Newsweek on December 31:

“The grapes for ‘good luck’ involves eating 12 grapes at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve, each grape symbolizes a month in a year. It is believed to inspire good fortune for the year ahead.”

As per the popular trend, people either sit under a table and eat the fruit or wear red undergarments while taking part in the tradition. As per Glamour's report, the grapes were the fundamental part of the tradition and not where or how they were consumed.

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Origin of the 12 grapes TikTok trend explained as netizens take part in manifesting routine

The social media trend originates from a Spanish New Year’s Eve tradition known as “uvas de la suerte.” The direct translation for the same would be “the twelve grapes of luck.” The tradition dates back to the 1800s.

One must eat 12 grapes in under 1 minute, as the clock strikes 12, each of them symbolizes a new month of the new year. As people have been taking part in the trend to manifest new love, it is also believed to bring in new fortune, health, and prosperity in the new year. Spanish TikToker Bianca Romero told Glamour on December 31:

“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 what it is… 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.”

According to Newsweek, youngsters have modified the trend to suit their own taste palettes. This also reportedly includes freezing the grapes to make candy treats. Speaking about how she benefited from the trend, Alice Bykuna explained in a TikTok video:

“I can really recommend this trend to you. I got pregnant this year so maybe you also have luck in love, job, health whatever you are wishing for and an amazing New Year’s Eve.”

The 12 grapes trend predominantly includes people consuming green grapes, as the same was done in Spain due to their sweetness and availability. Glamour claimed that red grapes can also be used to take part in the trend.

Newsweek also reported that grape sales increased by 17 percent this year and represented 5.1 percent of total produce sales in the United States.