There are a lot of things that people get right in Mexico. 

Take piñatas for instance. What better party activity can there be than giving kids a big stick and a colorful star filled with candy and letting them go at it? Pin the tail on the donkey will never hold a candle next to a piñata.

Or long lunch hours and late starts in the morning? Extending the Christmas season all the way into January? Cucumbers on tacos? All brilliant! 

As an expat who’s discovered that there’s no such thing as being too late for the party, there are things from Mexico that I will forever adopt as my own. 

And highest on that list may well be the the traditions and customs of the New Year. Traditions that allow me to make wishes instead of resolutions. That promise to bring happiness and health into my life by something as simple as wearing yellow underpants. Or red, if I’m looking for passion.  

I haven’t made New Year’s resolutions in years. It always seemed like a fairly depressing way to start off a brand new year. Particularly when I was fairly certain that I’d succumb to the temptation of chocolate, or cigarettes, or whatever else I had resolved to give up by January 5th.

But making wishes? That’s a completely different story. 

In Mexico, I can eat twelve grapes at the strike of midnight and make wishes for all those same things and soundly put them in the hands of someone else.

If I find myself striking a match or eating chocolate on January 5th? No problem, my wish just hasn’t been granted yet.

The year suddenly unfolds in front of me just as every new year should. 

Filled with hope instead of guilt.