First-footing is the traditional Scottish New Year's Eve custom of being the first visitor to enter a home.
The first person to cross a household's threshold after midnight is called the first-foot. In traditional belief, the visitor's arrival could influence the household's luck for the coming year. Guests often brought symbolic gifts such as shortbread, salt, coal, or whisky, representing food, flavor, warmth, and good cheer.
Tradition in some areas favored a tall, dark-haired male visitor, although modern celebrations are generally more flexible. The first-foot might also carry a coin or other token of prosperity. Customs have varied by region and family, so there is no single required gift or visitor profile.
First-footing is associated with Hogmanay, the Scottish New Year celebration, but it is a household custom rather than the name of a particular city festival. A ceilidh, by contrast, is a social gathering with Scottish music and dancing.