Crawling under the dining table to eat 12 grapes, Gen Z's New Year's "ritual" is causing a stir on social media.

As the old year draws to a close, social media buzzes with all sorts of trends to welcome the new year. Among them, the "crawl under the table and eat 12 grapes" challenge continues to be a phenomenon, shared among young people at lightning speed.

The trend originated in Spain, where people traditionally ate 12 grapes during the 12 chimes of New Year's Eve, symbolizing 12 lucky months in the new year. When it arrived in Vietnam, this custom was slightly adapted to suit the Gen Z spirit: eating grapes while crawling under the table and counting down with boisterous laughter.

"Crawling under the table": a creative version very Gen Z

While the original version leaned towards traditional rituals, the social media version is more fun and creative. Participants prepare 12 grapes, set a countdown timer, and choose a "prime" spot under a table. As the clock ticks down the final seconds of the old year, each grape is eaten one by one, accompanied by whispered wishes.

Although it may sound funny at first, it's precisely this sense of joy that has made the trend spread so quickly. Many young people share that they don't place much importance on whether their wish comes true or not; what matters is the moment of laughter and being immersed in the joyful atmosphere of the transition into the new year.

It's not just a trend, but also the feeling of "believing in good things."

Amidst the pressures of modern life, these positive rituals become a kind of "spiritual vitamin" for many. While everyone understands that spirituality is a matter of personal belief, the feeling of hope and anticipation for good things still makes the beginning of the year more pleasant.

Many young people share that just a little bit of fresh air is enough to motivate them to enter the new year with a more optimistic spirit. Sometimes, joy comes from very small things, like a moment of laughter with friends under the table at midnight on New Year's Eve.

When supermarkets also "catch the trend" just like everyone else.

Not only was the online community excited, but many retail chains also quickly joined in. Trays of grapes, each containing 12 grapes, appeared on store shelves, accompanied by cute messages such as "12 grapes for a wish," and "Eat grapes to welcome good fortune in the new year."

Some places are also taking advantage of year-end promotions, making buying grapes both convenient and in line with the "trend." The combination of the need for entertainment and light shopping has inadvertently turned the 12 grapes into the "main character" of New Year's Eve.

Not superstitious, just another reason to have fun.

Interestingly, most participants understand that this isn't magic or a guaranteed formula for good luck. The trend exists simply because it brings laughter, connection, and a sense of excitement as we enter the new year.

In the midst of a turbulent year, everyone longs for a smoother start. And if eating 12 grapes or hiding under a table for a few minutes can bring joy, then why not give it a try?

A charming touch of the changing seasons.

Whether this trend continues to be popular in the coming years or not, at the moment, it has already become a fun addition to the New Year celebrations of young people. It's not overly complicated, inexpensive, or stressful; all it takes is a positive attitude.

Ultimately, what everyone hopes for most is a peaceful new year, filled with joy and enough motivation to keep striving. And if 12 grapes can bring that feeling of a gentle beginning, then why not give it a try?

Minh Tú shocks with achievement cake, lists half a billion VND in debt and four hospitalizations. Hồng An11:09:27 27/12/2025Minh Tú surprised social media when she joined the "achievement cake" trend but chose to commemorate it with a series of misfortunes: half a billion dong in debt, lack of shows, a torn ligament, and four hospitalizations. This image quickly went viral, leaving netizens feeling both sympathetic and hopeful for her speedy recovery.