In a traditional Danish New Year’s Eve custom, throwing old plates and glasses at friends’ doors is meant to bring good luck.
The practice is commonly described as a way to show affection and goodwill toward friends and neighbors. A larger pile of broken crockery outside a home was traditionally interpreted as evidence that the household had many loyal friends. The objects were typically old or unwanted dishes rather than prized tableware.
The custom belongs to a wider group of European New Year practices involving noise, breakage, and symbolic clearing away of the old year. Modern Denmark has generally moved away from widespread door-smashing because of safety, cleanup, and changing social habits. It should not be confused with the Danish tradition of jumping from a chair at midnight, which symbolizes leaping into the new year. Accounts of Danish celebrations vary by region and generation, so the plate tradition is best treated as a recognizable folk custom rather than a universal rule.