In Denmark's New Year's Eve tradition, breaking old plates is meant to bring good luck.
The custom involves throwing or smashing unwanted crockery against the doors of friends or neighbors. A large pile of broken dishes was traditionally interpreted as evidence that a household had many loyal friends willing to visit and share the ritual. The practice is particularly associated with Danish New Year's celebrations, although modern households may observe it less often because of safety and cleanup concerns.
The plates are generally described as old or unused rather than valuable household dishes. That distinction turns breakage into a symbolic act of generosity and renewal instead of simple waste. Other Danish New Year's customs include jumping from a chair at midnight, symbolically leaping into the new year.
Descriptions of the plate tradition vary by source and locality. It should not be confused with the Greek custom of smashing plates at celebrations, which has different cultural associations.