First-footing is the Hogmanay custom of being the first person to enter a home after midnight. Traditionally, the first-foot is expected to bring good luck and may carry symbolic gifts for the household.
Traditional gifts can include whisky, shortbread, coal, salt, and black bun, a rich Scottish fruitcake. Customs vary, but the visitor was often expected to be a dark-haired man because of older beliefs about luck and appearance. Modern celebrations frequently follow the custom more casually and inclusively.
The first-foot is not simply the first person physically seen outside the house; the important moment is entering the home after the New Year has begun. The practice reflects hospitality and the hope for prosperity. It is closely linked with Hogmanay but is not the same thing as a ceilidh, which is a social gathering featuring traditional music and dancing.