In Denmark it is a New Year’s tradition to climb up on chairs, and leap off them as the clock strikes midnight.
Why do they do it? It is aimed to banish bad spirits, bring good luck and symbolically shows you are ready to leap into the new year ahead.
There was another interesting Danish New Year tradition that is sadly obsolete these days, which involved throwing and smashing plates on friends’ and neighbours’ doors. The more friends you have who cared enough to smash a plate lovingly on your door, the higher your pile of broken crockery on your doorstep, and the better the omen. The higher the pile, the better luck you have for the year ahead.
- See more at: http://www.saywhydoi.com/unusual-new-year%E2%80%99s-traditions-from-around-the-world-that-will-make-your-jaw-drop/#sthash.XjbnSwQm.dpuf