Ok, I will confess... I am a LUNATIC when it comes to New Year's Eve traditions! I do 'em ALL, with no regional bias!
The tradition of black eyed peas began during the Civil War when the troops were starving. They came upon some black eyed peas and survived. The tradition holds that if you eat the peas in memorial to that event, you will always get the help you need, just when you need it!
Customarily, the ideal for New Years is to do whatever you would like to do all the rest of the year... beginning it as you mean to continue. So surrounding yourself with family and friends, sharing good food, good times, good hospitality, is an assurance that this is what you'll be doing all the rest of the year.
Pickled Herring in sour cream sauce (a very sweet confection!) served on crackers is a Germanic - Scandinavian tradition. It is meant to bring you prosperity -- not just to survive, but to afford a few of the luxuries; a sign of not struggling, an abundant harvest.
And of course, you must hold on to at least one silver coin at midnight so you'll always have money in your hand all year.
AND NEVER, EVER, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES EAT CHICKEN ON NEW YEAR'S EVE OR DAY! If you do that, you will have to "scratch" for your living all year!
Merme, leaving no possible stone unturned...