Denmark's New Year's Eve custom of throwing old plates at friends' homes is called plate smashing. People traditionally save unwanted crockery and break it against the doors or walls of friends and neighbors around New Year's Eve. A large pile of broken dishes can be interpreted as evidence of many friends and good social connections.
The practice is one of several Danish New Year customs, alongside making noise at midnight, watching the monarch's New Year's address, and eating festive food. Some modern celebrants use inexpensive or already damaged plates, while others treat the tradition more symbolically or have stopped because of cleanup and safety concerns.
The custom is often confused with the widespread practice of smashing plates in restaurants or celebrations elsewhere, but the specifically Danish New Year's version centers on throwing crockery at the homes of people one knows. Danish celebrations also feature the kransekage, a ring-shaped almond cake traditionally served at festive occasions. Customs differ between families and regions, so plate smashing is familiar but not compulsory.