In the Philippines, 12 round fruits are traditionally prepared for New Year's Eve to represent the months of the coming year.
The custom is associated with prosperity and good fortune. Round fruits are valued because their shape resembles coins, and the number 12 corresponds to the twelve months in the Gregorian calendar. Families may arrange the fruit on a table or serve it as part of the New Year's Eve meal.
Common examples include grapes, oranges, apples, melons, and other locally available round fruits. Practices differ between households: some families try to include exactly twelve varieties, while others count twelve individual fruits or emphasize the symbolic shape more than a strict menu.
The tradition belongs to a larger group of Filipino New Year's customs intended to attract abundance. Other practices include making noise at midnight, displaying round shapes, and jumping as the year changes. These customs are cultural traditions rather than requirements of a religious ceremony, so their details vary by region and family.