New Year's lucky charm

What scores points this year alongside the shamrock and lucky sow

Lucky charms for the upcoming turn of the year: local market traders are equipped with a wide range of products.(Bild: Pressefoto Scharinger/Daniel Scharinger)

Every year, lucky charms are given as gifts at the turn of the year. In addition to the classics, variations made of plush and animal motifs are also popular.

Horseshoes, ladybugs or chimney sweeps: lucky charms are very popular every year at the turn of the year. To get the New Year off to a good start, Lower Austrians also traditionally fall back on the popular "New Year's Eve mascots".

Lucky charms are in demand again this year. On average, between two and 15 euros are spent on them in Lower Austria.

Gerhard Lackstätter, Wirtschaftskammer Niederösterreich

Bild: Copyright:www.fotografundfee.at

On average, between two and 15 euros are spent in Lower Austria to give your loved ones a festive gift of lucky charms shortly after midnight.

New trends for cuddling
New trends are also set here every year: In addition to popular classics such as lucky pigs or shamrocks, cuddly versions made of plush are increasingly in demand, as are animal motifs made from a wide variety of materials. Sweet versions made of chocolate and marzipan are particularly popular. Lucky charms made of wood, glass or porcelain are also still in demand.

Wax casting instead of lead casting
However, lead casting is still a popular custom at the turn of the year. But here, too, people are moving with the times: "Wax casting has become more and more fashionable as an alternative in recent years, and in every age group," explains Gerhard Lackstätter, Chairman of Market Trade at the Lower Austrian Chamber of Commerce.

Lucky charms made of wood, glass or porcelain are still very popular.(Bild: Pressefoto Scharinger/Daniel Scharinger)

Beautiful memories
"The lucky charms are not only pleasing to the eye, but also remain a beautiful memory after the turn of the year," says Lackner. Every year, local market traders offer a wide range of hopefully lucky charms.