Hmmmmmm! I had a friend of German descent who insisted on eating pickled herring at the stroke of midnight for good luck. I figured after eating pickled herring nothing would seem too bad!
On a related subject, we New Englanders have a custom - well, the old New Englanders anyway - of burning a Bayberry candle on New Year's Day.
"A bayberry candle, burned to the socket brings health to the home and wealth to the pocket."

The smart old-timers get a slim, not-too-tall candle that will not burn too long and can be allowed to "gut" ... blowing out the candle brings bad luck.
If all else fails, place the candle and holder in the kitchen sink with a little water around it ... then if it tips over, no harm done.
Happy New Year!