In Denmark, people traditionally smash old plates against friends’ doors on New Year’s Eve.
The custom is a form of friendly “plate smashing,” in which unwanted crockery is broken outside the homes of friends or neighbours. A large pile of fragments is traditionally interpreted as a sign that the household has many friends and well-wishers.
The practice is associated with Danish New Year customs alongside other festive traditions, including jumping from a chair or sofa at midnight to symbolically leap into the new year. The plate custom is not a formal national ceremony with one fixed procedure, so modern participation varies considerably.
The tradition can be confused with ordinary vandalism, but its cultural meaning is celebratory and social. Because of safety and environmental concerns, some people now use symbolic alternatives or avoid the practice altogether rather than leaving broken ceramics in public spaces.