This New Year’s ‘love charm’ has many TikTok users swearing by its ‘foolproof’ effects

If you spot someone crouching under a table scoffing grapes at midnight, there’s a good reason. Well, a reason anyway ...

Forget the New Year’s Eve midnight kiss, making resolutions or catching a fireworks display, the grape theory is a new tradition dominating social media feeds.

This New Year’s trend had many excited TikTok users crouching under tables and shovelling down a dozen grapes when the clock struck midnight last year.

Originating from a Hispanic tradition, the ‘twelve grapes of luck’ is a ritual that involves eating 12 grapes at midnight, in sync with the clock chimes to ensure good luck and prosperity comes with every month of the new year.

Influencer Emily Ross is keen to manifest love and luck in 2025, following the Tik Tok challenge of eating 12 grapes under a table at midnight on New Year’s Eve. Picture: Kelly Barnes

The new trend is based on a Hispanic tradition that involves eating 12 grapes at midnight, in sync with clock chimes to bring about good luck. Picture: Kelly Barnes

However, the tradition now also doubles as a fun love charm that former singletons swear by to usher in romance for the new year.

The key to getting it right is making sure all the grapes are chewed and swallowed before it hits 12.01am.

Model and social media influencer Emily Ross is keen to jump on the trend, drawing its parallels to “making vision boards or writing down goals for the new year”.

“I’m all for manifesting, whether it’s the grapes or people just setting their intentions for the year, I think if you set any kind of goal you become more accountable for it,” she said.

While Ms Ross is yet to test it out, the appeal of good fortune and prosperity for her love life is too good to pass up.

“As grim as it sounds, I think relationship issues really unite people,” she said.

“Everyone’s dealt with sub-par relationships; be it a situationship, heartbreak … women in particular have picked up on this trend because it makes them feel less alone in their struggles.

“I think maybe they’d be more willing to share that kind of vulnerability online as well.”

Similarly, the TikTok duo Kasey and Amelia are also hoping to ring in their new year’s luck with a grape chomp-down.

“I think young women love anything to do with friendship, whether that be eating grapes under the table or making fun TikToks, this trend is just perfect for the girlies,” they said

While there is little evidence that suggests that the theory works, relationship coach Karina Chapman said people likely hold onto the practice because “it gives them hope”.

“It’s a mindset, what we tell ourselves and what we think about comes about in our life like it can be manifested,” Ms Chapman said.

“It shows that everyone is still wanting love no matter what age.”

Superstition or not, some good luck in 2025 is what everyone needs.

Originally published as This New Year’s ‘love charm’ has many TikTok users swearing by its ‘foolproof’ effects