What better way to see a bad year out and a new year in than to destroy a photo of an old lover, debt-ridden credit card statements or a copy of that useless master's thesis?
Annual smash fest based on Latin American tradition that destroys the year's bad memories ahead of new year
Allison Hagendorf, left, host of Good Riddance Day, laughs as Tim Tompkins, president of the Times Square Alliance, shreds a photo of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump on Dec. 28, 2015, in New York City's Times Square. The event began in the Big Apple in 2006. (Mark Lennihan/The Associated Press)
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For those gathered in New York City's Times Square on Monday to send a message to the year that was 2015: Don't let the door hit you on the way out.
What better way to see a bad year out and a new year in than to destroy a photo of an old lover, debt-ridden credit card statements or a copy of that useless master's thesis?
Good Riddance Day is an annual smash fest based on the año viejo tradition in some Latin American countries.
During año viejo, people in countries such as Colombia, Peru, Argentina and Mexico burn effigies meant to contain or symbolize bad memories and events from the year.
Año viejo is celebrated in a number of Central and South American countries. In Colombia, people stuff dummies with paper and other material meant to signify bad memories, and set them on fire. (Etienne Le Cocq/Wikimedia Commons)
In NYC, the celebration is a little less … flammable
People typically shred documents, break symbolic objects or write the memory or feeling they want to say goodbye to, and destroy it. This version of the New Year's Eve tradition has been happening in New York City for nine years.
Computers and outdated electronic gadgets that have been smashed sit on a carpet during Good Riddance Day in Times Square in 2013. (Carlo Allegri/Reuters)
Messages related to bad memories or events are taped onto the side of a truck before they are shredded during Good Riddance Day. (Lucas Jackson/Reuters)
Carlita Gibson of New York City holds a sheet of paper listing items she would like to shred and forget during a Good Riddance Day celebration on Dec. 28, 2015, in Times Square. (Mark Lennihan/The Associated Press)
Participant Jose Lima goes through papers to shred on Good Riddance Day in New York City. (Lucas Jackson/Reuters)
Goodbye to a former self.
A woman uses a hammer to destroy prescription pill containers. (Lucas Jackson/Reuters)
Maureen Dexter, of Wenatchee, Wash., shreds a photo of herself during a Good Riddance Day celebration Dec. 28, 2015, in Times Square. In the annual celebration, people are invited to destroy any unpleasant, embarrassing and downright forgettable memories from 2015. Dexter says she changed her diet, began exercising and lost 75 pounds during the year. 'I'm a new person.' (Mark Lennihan/The Associated Press)
See you in hell, laptop!
A man smashes a laptop in Times Square as part of Good Riddance Day. (Neilson Barnard/Getty Images)
