Plates are traditionally smashed outside homes in Denmark on New Year's Eve to symbolize friendship and good luck. People may throw or break old plates and dishes against the doors of friends, relatives, or neighbors, leaving a pile of porcelain as a sign that the household has many well-wishers.
The custom is often described as a form of festive “plate smashing,” although contemporary celebrations vary considerably. Some people no longer practice it because of safety, cleaning, environmental, or housing concerns. It should not be treated as a universal Danish requirement; many Danish New Year's traditions are now more common, including dinner with friends, fireworks, and watching the monarch's New Year's speech.
Another Danish custom is to jump from a chair or sofa at midnight, symbolically leaping into the new year. The plate tradition is sometimes confused with Greek plate smashing, which is associated with celebrations such as weddings and entertainment venues. The Danish practice specifically centers on leaving broken dishes at another person's door.