The to do list on New Year’s Eve in Australia is pretty simple.

At the stroke of midnight kiss the person closest to you to wish them a Happy New Year and make a few resolutions that we all know you’re not going to keep.

There may even be a drunken rendition of Auld Lang Syne.

Things can take a strange turn, though, when you usher in the New Year while overseas where superstition can drive people to some downright weird behaviour.

If you’re heading to Ecuador you might be in for a spot of scarecrow burning at midnight in the name of good fortune.

In Romania don’t be too concerned if you see people dancing around in bear skins, they are continuing an old Roma tradition said to ward off bad spirits.

For the Greeks, it is all about food. A pomegranate, which is an ancient symbol of prosperity and good luck, is hung above the door throughout Christmas and at midnight on New Year’s Eve it is hurled at the door or the floor to ensure good luck.

There is also a tradition that involves hanging a large onion above the door. This is taken down at midnight and the children of the house are hit on the head with it to wake them up.

In Italy, men and women wear red underwear to bring luck in the coming year. The lucky underwear superstition is also popular in Brazil and Latin American countries where red underwear is thought to bring love and yellow underwear brings money.

Some people in Ireland chase away evil spirits and bad luck by banging loaves of bread or cake on the walls.

The superstitious Spanish eat 12 grapes when midnight comes in the hopes of a successful year ahead.

Many of these traditions can be traced back centuries with a common intent to ward off evil spirits or to bring prosperity or love in the New Year.

But wherever you may be, and however you celebrate, here’s to a Happy 2019!