The Scottish New Year's Eve custom in which the first visitor brings luck to a household is called first-footing.
In first-footing, the first person to enter a home after midnight is traditionally expected to bring good fortune for the coming year. The visitor may carry symbolic gifts such as coal for warmth, shortbread for food, salt for prosperity, or whisky for good cheer. Customs vary across Scotland and among families.
Historically, traditions sometimes expressed preferences about the first visitor's appearance or gender, but these ideas are not consistent everywhere and are less central in modern celebrations. Today, the emphasis is generally on welcoming friends and family.
First-footing is associated with Hogmanay, the Scottish New Year celebration. It should not be confused with the name Hogmanay itself: Hogmanay refers broadly to the Scottish New Year's festivities, while first-footing is one particular custom within them.