The Scottish New Year's custom in which the first person entering a home affects its luck is called first-footing.
A first-foot is the first person to enter a household after midnight on New Year's Eve. In traditional belief, that person's arrival can influence the household's fortune for the coming year. Customs vary by region and family, but the visitor may bring symbolic gifts such as coal for warmth, bread for food, salt, or whisky for hospitality.
Some traditions historically considered a tall, dark-haired male visitor especially lucky, while a fair-haired visitor could be viewed differently in parts of Scotland. These older associations are regional folk beliefs, not universal rules, and modern celebrations commonly focus more on friendship and hospitality.
First-footing is associated with Hogmanay, the Scottish New Year celebration, but it is not the same thing as the entire Hogmanay festival. The visitor's arrival typically follows the midnight celebration, and hosts may welcome several friends and neighbors as the new year begins.