The Scottish New Year's Eve custom of being the first person to enter a home is called first-footing. The first-foot, or first-footer, is traditionally believed to influence the household's luck during the year ahead.
The custom is associated with Hogmanay, Scotland's New Year celebration. In traditional versions, the first visitor brings symbolic gifts such as coal for warmth, bread or shortbread for food, salt, and whisky for hospitality. A tall, dark-haired male visitor was once regarded in some regions as especially lucky, although modern practice is much less restrictive.
The first-footer typically arrives after midnight, rather than before the new year begins. The visitor may also leave and re-enter the house, depending on local custom and practical circumstances.
First-footing is sometimes confused with the general idea of visiting friends on New Year's Day. Its defining feature is the identity and timing of the first person crossing the threshold, together with the gifts or good wishes associated with that visit.