When and why did a kiss at the stroke of New Year's become such a tradition?

Heehee, I does not have a random someone.

I was wondering that too, thanks to the thread we were on a few minutes ago. You beat me to it! :’(

Lurve for Herpes. Haha.

@asmonet. It was your quip that spurred me to write this question. I’ve been wondering about this for years, but then you “reminded” me. Thanks.

If nothing else, it’s a good way to start what many of us consider an opportunity to start over and improve.

I am curious about this answer…does anyone know its origin?

When I first heard about it, it was for luck—the luck that you’d be kissing the same person again the next year.

@shi: Anytime, and thank you for showing me cross sections of throats and whatnot. ;)

It’s the notion that you want to start the new year with your special someone. The kiss used to denote rejoicing in their relationship and starting it’s “new year” the right way, by being happy and intimate. That was back then. Now it has turned into “must kiss someone at midnight otherwise I’ll look lonely and uncool.”

Wikianswers was unable to come up with a better answer than what I said.

Though, this article says that according to English/German legend “the first person you came in contact with when the bells chimed twelve, be it a familiar, friendly face or inauspicious acquaintance, set the tone for your happiness and fortune in the coming year. A kiss with one you loved ensured affections and good tidings. To smooch someone less favorable, or not at all, could mean misfortune.”

Interestingly, kissing under the mistletoe is from an old legend where it’s said that if a girl receives no kisses under the mistletoe around Xmas time, then she will not get married in the new year. source

@PnL: Oh, that’s why I haven’t been wed yet.
Sweet. I’ll continue to avoid mistletoe like it’s the plague.