First Footing

First footing is a tradition rooted in Scottish and Northern English folklore.  It is about the first person to enter the home after the stroke of midnight on New Year's Day. The identity of this "first footer" is believed to significantly influence the household's luck for the coming year.

It is best if the first footer is a dark-haired man.  This rule probably came from the Viking invasions.  At that time, a blond visitor was maybe not the best person to see on your doorstep—at the New Year or any other time.

 The first footer should be outside the house just before the clock strikes midnight, so they can come in cleanly to bring in the New Year.  In some areas, the first footer is to knock and be invited it; it other places, they are just to
enter.

In addition, the first footer is expected to bring symbolic gifts.  These are coal (for warmth), bread (for plenty of food), salt (for flavor), whisky (for good cheer), and money (for prosperity.)  These gifts are to ensure health, happiness and good fortune in the coming year.  The gifts might vary from region to region depending on the local customs, but these are the basics.

At our house, the first footer is greeted with a certain amount of noise.  The banging of pot lids and the ringing of bells is considered important to welcome the new year properly.  A toast doesn’t go amiss either, followed by a chorus of the Guid New Year song.  In case you don’t have the words handy, here they are.

A guid new year to ane an’ a
An’ mony may ye see.
An’ during a’ the years to come,
O happy may ye be.

An’ may ye n’er hae cause to mourn,
To sigh or shed a tear,
To ane an’ a baith great an’ sma’
A hearty guid New year.

Happy New Year Everyone.