The first person who enters a Scottish home after midnight on New Year's Eve is traditionally called the first-footer.
First-footing is a Scottish New Year custom in which the first visitor after midnight is believed to influence the household's luck for the year ahead. Traditional gifts may include shortbread, coal, salt, a black bun or whisky, symbolizing food, warmth, prosperity and good cheer.
Older versions of the custom placed special importance on the visitor's appearance. A tall, dark-haired man was often considered lucky in parts of Scotland, while local beliefs varied by region and period. The visitor usually arrived after midnight rather than being someone already inside the house.
First-footing is associated with Hogmanay, the Scottish New Year celebration, but the two terms are not synonyms. Hogmanay names the wider celebration, whereas first-footing describes the household visiting practice. Modern celebrations often adapt the custom without following every older superstition.