The New Year's Eve custom of first-footing is especially associated with Scotland.
First-footing is the practice of being the first person to enter a household after midnight on New Year's Day. In traditional belief, the first visitor could influence the household's luck for the coming year. A dark-haired male visitor was often considered especially fortunate in some regions, although customs and interpretations differed.
The visitor might bring symbolic gifts. Coal represented warmth, bread represented food, salt represented flavor or prosperity, and whisky represented cheer. The visitor was expected to cross the threshold with good wishes and might share a drink or food with the household.
First-footing is part of the wider Scottish Hogmanay season. Modern celebrations may preserve parts of the custom while dropping older restrictions about who should arrive first. It is not the same as simply visiting friends on January 1: the timing, first entry, and symbolic gifts are what define the tradition.