The Scottish name for the New Year's Eve custom of visiting homes after midnight with gifts is first-footing.
In first-footing, the first person to enter a home after midnight is traditionally thought to influence the household's luck for the coming year. Customs differ, but the visitor may bring symbolic gifts such as whisky, shortbread, coal, or salt. A tall, dark-haired man was historically regarded in some Scottish traditions as an especially lucky first-footer.
The custom is closely associated with Hogmanay, Scotland's New Year celebration, but the two terms are not interchangeable. Hogmanay names the broader celebration, while first-footing describes the post-midnight visiting practice.
The tradition reflects older beliefs about luck, hospitality, and the importance of the first arrival of the year. Modern first-footing is often more social than superstitious, with friends and relatives visiting one another after local countdowns and celebrations.