Ten unnecessary, ridiculous facts about New Year's Eve

That a firework can reach a speed of 240 kilometers per hour I find impressive. That aluminum and magnesium create gold or white fireworks too. Prefer blue bangs? Add copper sulfate. Yellow? Add a bit of sodium salt. Anyway, total useless New Year's bullshit to tickle your brain. For the last time this year. Let’s go.

1. The oliebol was actually not called an oliebol at all, but oliekoek. In the year 1868, the word oliebol was included in the Van Dale dictionary, although oliekoek was used more. Weird.

2. Oh, and speaking of oliebollen: did you know that we eat an average of eight per person? Like during and around the New Year’s transition. EIGHT? Yes, even as a hangover breakfast the next day.

3. Losing weight? They’re not thinking about that in Estonia just yet. No way, they literally stuff themselves with New Year’s food. The Estonians believe you should eat twelve meals (!) on New Year’s Eve so you can start the new year twelve times stronger. Burp.

4. In the Netherlands, about 95 percent of champagne bottles are opened in the last week of the year. Totally disagree by the way. #Champagnealldayerrrrday.

5. Oh, and did you know that we kiss an average of twelve people with a ‘Happy New Year’?

6. We spend an average of 99 euros on fireworks.

7. In 1989, the slogan ‘You’re a fool if you mess with fireworks’ was created.

8. The most mentioned New Year’s resolution ever? Guess three times: losing weight. Followed by spending more time with family and friends and exercising more.

9. The Spaniards actually do it the best when it comes to counting down. As soon as it’s twelve o'clock, everyone eats a grape with each clock strike. This tradition is said to bring luck for the new year.

10. 100 grams of oliebollen contains ‘only’ 256 calories. A eierkoek contains 287 calories. You do the math.