In Scotland’s New Year’s Eve first-footing tradition, the first person to enter a home after midnight is called the first-footer.
First-footing is part of Hogmanay customs and involves visiting friends or relatives after the old year ends. The first-footer traditionally brings symbolic gifts, often including coal for warmth, bread or shortbread for food, salt, and whisky for hospitality. The visit is intended to bring luck to the household.
Historical versions of the custom placed importance on the visitor’s appearance, and a tall, dark-haired man was traditionally considered especially lucky in some Scottish regions. Modern practice varies widely, and the term usually refers to the first guest rather than a formally appointed official. First-footing is therefore distinct from the public street parties and concerts also associated with Scottish New Year celebrations.