In Scotland's Hogmanay tradition, the first person to enter a home after midnight is called the first-footer.
First-footing is a New Year's custom in which the first visitor of the year is believed to influence the household's luck. Traditionally, a tall, dark-haired man was considered especially fortunate in many parts of Scotland, although modern practice is much less restrictive.
The visitor commonly brings symbolic gifts such as whisky, shortbread, coal, salt, or black bun. These offerings represented warmth, food, prosperity, and hospitality during the year ahead. The first-footer may also be expected to step into the house with the right foot first.
Customs differ by region and family, and not every Hogmanay celebration includes all the traditional rules. “First-footer” refers to the visitor, while “first-footing” names the practice itself.