Wp/nth/Furst-fut

I Northren Inglish, Scottish and Manx folklare, the furst-fut (Scots: first fit, Scottish Gaelic: ciad-chuairt, Manx: quaaltagh/qualtagh) is the furst parson te exter hame ov a hoosehaud o the forenuin o the New Year or the act o visitin a parson this way. Similar practices are also found in Greek, Vietnamese, and Georgian new year traditions. Similar practices is fund in Greek, Vietnamese, and Georgian new year traditions an aa.

Origin
The origins of first-footing is uncertain, although there may be a connection to the Viking Invasion of the British Isles: "This may go back to the time of Vikings when the arrival of a blond stranger at your door would be the cause of fear and alarm."

Whenever a public ritual is suppressed many continue it at another date. Many customs of first-footing (bringing coal, knocking on doors, group singing Auld Lang Syne to pass from the old to the new) parallel those of Samhain, the Celtic new year, for which fuel was gathered, food collected by reciting verses door-to-door, and a ritual fire lit to welcome crossing the threshold to the next world. "'Quite a degree of transferability of customs across the period between Samhain ... Christmas and New Year. Whether this represents a natural tendency to transfer celebrations that brighten the dull winter months or a concerted religious effort to dissipate or transform wholly pagan festivities remains unclear, but a combination of factors is likely.'"

North of England
The tradition of first-footing and how it is conducted varies from place to place in the North of England. Generally, a tall, dark-haired male is preferred over a man with light hair or even a woman. There are regional variations about the hair colour of the first-foot, although generally they must be a male. In East Yorkshire, the first-footer should be dark-haired, but the North York Moors first-footers should be fair-haired.

Often it is expected at they will bring symbolic gifts, and be gien food and drink i return bi the inhabitants o the hoose they visit: "The forst-fut disn’t enter the hoose empty-handed – ony forst-futers at disn't arrive empty-handed will bring bad luck wiv em. Isteed, the furst-fut sud bring a selection o gifts for the househaud, at can include; a siller coin; shortbreed or a black bun; saut; coal; and a drink, usually whisky. They represent prosparity, meat, flavour, warmth for the hoose, and gud cheer – the whisky is used te toast the new year."

Scotland
The practice of first-footing is still common across Scotland and varies from place to place as part of Hogmanay celebrations. The luck that the first-foot brings with him will determine the luck for the household for the rest of the year.

Generally, the first-foot should be a tall dark-haired male who is not already in the house when midnight strikes. In many areas, the first-foot should bring with him symbolic gifts such as coal, coins, whisky, or black buns. Food and drink will be given to the first-foot and any other guests. Often women and light or red haired men are considered very unlucky. In Scotland, first-footing has traditionally been more elaborate than in England, involving subsequent entertainment.