In the Philippines, traditional New Year's Eve fruits should be round.
Many Filipino families prepare twelve round fruits for Media Noche, the midnight meal welcoming the New Year. The fruits are associated with prosperity because their shape resembles coins. Families may arrange them on a table or display them as part of the holiday meal, with one fruit commonly representing each month of the coming year.
The exact fruits vary by household and budget. Common examples include grapes, oranges, apples, melons, and other rounded produce. The number twelve connects the custom to the twelve months, while the circular form supplies the symbolism of wealth and abundance.
This practice belongs to a larger set of Filipino New Year customs. People may make loud noises to drive away bad luck, wear clothing with circular patterns, and keep coins in their pockets. The fruit tradition is not a requirement of a religious ceremony; it is a popular cultural practice associated with family celebration and hopes for a prosperous year.