In Scotland’s Hogmanay first-footing custom, the first person to enter a home after midnight is called the first-footer.
First-footing is a Scottish New Year practice in which the first visitor to cross a household’s threshold after midnight is believed to influence the home’s luck for the year ahead. Traditional gifts carried by the visitor include coal for warmth, bread or shortbread for food, salt, and whisky for hospitality.
Some older versions of the custom preferred a tall, dark-haired male visitor, while a red-haired visitor could be treated unfavorably in certain traditions. These ideas vary by region and belong to folklore rather than a universal rule observed by every modern household.
The visitor’s arrival is part of a broader Hogmanay celebration, the Scottish name for New Year festivities. First-footing remains especially associated with Scotland, although contemporary celebrations often emphasize friendship and shared hospitality more than old superstitions.