In a Danish New Year's Eve tradition, people smash old plates against friends' doors to show affection and friendship.
The custom turns discarded crockery into a symbol of social connection. A household with a large pile of broken plates outside its entrance is traditionally seen as having many friends who visited and wished it well. The practice is often described alongside other Danish New Year's customs, including jumping from a chair at midnight to leap into the new year.
The objects are generally old or unwanted dishes rather than treasured tableware. That distinction makes the ritual less about destruction for its own sake and more about creating a playful, noisy expression of goodwill.
Customs vary between families and communities, and not every Danish celebration includes plate-smashing. It is best understood as a folk tradition associated with Denmark, rather than a compulsory national ceremony. Modern celebrations also commonly feature fireworks, dinner, and speeches.