In Scottish Hogmanay tradition, the first person to enter a home after midnight is called the first-footer.
First-footing is a New Year custom in which the first visitor after midnight is believed to influence the household’s luck for the coming year. Traditionally, a tall, dark-haired man was considered especially fortunate in some Scottish regions.
The visitor commonly brings symbolic gifts such as coal for warmth, shortbread for food and whisky for hospitality. The exact customs vary by locality and family, and modern celebrations may not follow the older gender or appearance preferences.
The practice is part of Hogmanay, the Scottish New Year celebration. It should not be confused with the midnight bells themselves: first-footing concerns the first visitor crossing the threshold after the new year begins.