A New Year’s kiss is one of the most recognizable holiday traditions. It can be a sweet way to welcome the new year with a partner, an awkward result of too many glasses of champagne, or the exciting beginning of a new romantic chapter. Whatever your situation, it’s interesting to learn where this custom originated and how it became what it is today. Here’s a brief look at the history behind the tradition…
What is the origin of the New Year’s kiss?
The playful custom of starting the year with a kiss traces its roots back to the Winter Solstice festival, Saturnalia. In Ancient Rome, Saturnalia was a pagan celebration held in mid-December in honor of Saturn, the god of agriculture. The festivities included decorating homes with greenery such as wreaths, lavish feasts, exchanging gifts, and gathering with friends and family. Familiar, right? Yet Saturnalia wasn’t as innocent as it may sound. It also included loosening of social norms, public sacrifices, and uninhibited revelry.
Over time, Saturnalia blended with the twelve-day Christian celebration of Christmas, which traditionally continued past the New Year. However, the atmosphere didn’t become calmer — in fact, during the Middle Ages, the season remained almost as wild as it had been in pagan times, with plenty of public drinking and carefree behavior.
“In medieval Europe, the custom of kissing developed from masquerade balls where removing masks at midnight was marked with a kiss meant to purify the soul and ensure a successful year,” explains historian Ralph E. Long of Academized. “The kiss became a form of protection from loneliness or tragedy and a way to guarantee a fresh start in love and intimacy.”
Another holiday, Hogmanay — still celebrated today — is the Scottish version of New Year’s festivities. It includes gathering, dancing, and singing “Auld Lang Syne” (written by Scottish poet Robert Burns). During Hogmanay, people wished each other “Happy New Year!” with warmth and kisses — for loved ones, friends, and even strangers — as a symbol of new beginnings.
In modern America, however, the tradition of the midnight kiss has roots in English and German folklore. “It’s generally believed that the custom was brought to the United States by German immigrants,” explains Dr. Daniel Compora, professor of folklore and popular culture at the University of Toledo. A New York Times article from 1893 mentions the earliest recorded instance of the tradition in New York, where German immigrant communities gathered on New Year’s Eve for food and drink, exchanging hugs and kisses at midnight. As the custom spread beyond German neighborhoods and the Times Square ball drop replaced banned fireworks, Hollywood adopted the midnight kiss as a cinematic way to create its own “fireworks” — as seen in films like When Harry Met Sally and Bridget Jones’s Diary.
Why do we kiss on New Year’s Eve?
Although imagining ancient rituals is fascinating, our modern motives for kissing at midnight probably haven’t changed much. “Humans use kisses — platonic or romantic — to express greetings, affection, and celebration,” notes Hayes. “New Year’s is no exception.”
On a deeper level, we may feel compelled to kiss someone at midnight because of symbolic beliefs. “It’s the idea of divine alignment — that what you do and who you’re with on New Year’s Eve sets the tone for the year ahead,” explains Hayes. “If you want to grow closer to someone or deepen a relationship, you welcome the new year with them — and seal it with a kiss.”
Besides symbolism, the New Year’s kiss is also tied to superstition. Some believe a kiss at midnight strengthens relationships and brings good luck, while not having someone to kiss foretells a lonely year.
Or perhaps the explanation is much simpler — and rooted in intoxication, just like during Saturnalia. “While these traditions certainly give people a reason to kiss someone nearby, I’m afraid the real motivator is the alcohol,” says Compora. “After a few drinks, people loosen up, and stealing a kiss from someone pleasant — a spouse, a close friend, or even a stranger — feels like a great idea in the moment.
It’s okay if you don’t have a New Year’s kiss planned
The idea that you must find the perfect person to kiss at midnight can be unnecessary pressure. Allow yourself to relax and remain open to whatever the night brings. “Often the strongest, most electric connection happens with someone who doesn’t match our expectations,” says House. New Year’s Eve can be an opportunity to step out of your comfort zone if you’re craving change.
Ultimately, what matters most is understanding what a New Year’s kiss means to you. Whether you want something tender, thrilling, or comforting, knowing your desires makes it easier to create the experience you want. And what if the tradition simply doesn’t appeal to you? The meaning of New Year’s isn’t in the kiss. It’s about ending the year with a good feeling so you can shape the next one the way you choose. Sometimes a meaningful conversation or a moment of self-care is far better than a kiss — no matter what tradition or superstition says.
During the holidays, people often feel pressured to participate in customs and celebrations that don’t always resonate with them. Let the New Year be exactly what you want it to be.
