In the Philippines, many New Year's Eve foods and decorations traditionally emphasize a round shape for prosperity.
Round objects are associated with coins and wealth, so families may display round fruits, coins, polka-dot clothing, and circular decorations during Media Noche, the midnight meal. Some households aim to serve twelve round fruits, linking the fruit count to the twelve months of the coming year, although practices differ.
The tradition is part of a broader set of Filipino New Year customs. People may make loud noises to drive away bad luck, keep lights on, open doors or windows at midnight, and prepare plentiful food. These practices are family and community traditions rather than official religious requirements.
Round fruits are sometimes confused with a universal rule that every Filipino household must serve exactly one fixed menu. In reality, the selected fruits, number of dishes, and clothing customs vary by region, budget, family history, and personal belief. The central symbolic idea is the circle's resemblance to coins and fullness.