Today (or, well, tonight) is New Year’s Eve. The Scots’ word
for the last day of the year is
Hogmanay. It is normally the start of a celebration that lasts through
the night until the morning of New Year’s Day or, in some cases, January 2nd, a
Scottish Bank Holiday.
There are many customs associated with Hogmanay. The most
widespread national custom is the practice of “first-footing”, which starts
immediately after midnight. This involves being the first person to cross the
threshold of a friend or neighbor and often involves the giving of symbolic
gifts such as coal, shortbread, whisky, and black bun (a rich fruit cake)
intended to bring different kinds of luck to the householder.
The first-foot is supposed to set the luck for the rest of
the year. Traditionally, tall dark men are preferred as the first-foot.
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