Answer: Bread

It’s a common tradition across the world to scare away bad luck and evil spirits to bring in the New Year with a clean slate. Firecrackers, loud bells, and the like are all used in various cultures to create a din that purportedly drives away the spirits that would saddle you with bad luck in the new year.

In Ireland, the tradition is a bit different and doesn’t involve gun powder, cowbells, or bright copper kettles. Instead, the tradition is to take a loaf of Christmas bread that was set aside (now quite stale and firm) and bang the bread against the doors and walls of your home to scare away the spirits and ensure an abundance of bread and food in the new year.