First Footing

I only did it as a child obviously living at home with my parents and going out with my friends locally. We had to sing and/or dance- in my case dance before we were given orange juice or whatever. We knew everybody so there were no security issues in those days.

I have never done it as an adult in Scotland and certainly not in London.

It was an adult thing as far as I remember ,
first foot was the first person over the doorstep after midnight , had to be dark haired and bearing gifts of bread/cake , coal , and alcohol , bread was put on the table , coal on the fire and booze was drunk .
If one was male and dark it involved a lot of visiting and drinking

the sing and dance thing was Halloween with us

In Lidl today I noticed you were invited to take some coal. (Bags and coal provided free) and I thought what a lovely gesture.
In the past when first footing was the norm everyone would have had access to coal. By doing this they are keeping alive a Scottish tradition alive.
Well done Lidl. Lang may yer lum reek!

Sorry about the extra alive.

We always sent someone outside just before midnight with a piece of coal for warmth, bread for food and a shiny coin for good fortune. If the first person in the house was carrying these it ensured a good new year!

That's what I remember too PECS another old tradition has almost died out now.

We are going first footing with our neighbours tonight, as we have done for the last twenty five years.
I have to go in last, as I have red hair!

My father was very dark and so was asked to first foot all the neighbours...once we moved out of the East End to Essex that all stopped.

When I was engaged to my late husband our neighbours asked my parents if my fiance could first foot them. My parents had a list of requests and future husband was sent round the doors clutching a bottle of Whisky, cake, and coal.
Poor darling hadn't a clue.
My father took him to each door, instructing him on what was expected. He had the most tremendous welcome and forged long term friendships.
Just shows you what being tall and black in Scotland was like in the 70s.

It used to be my dad who'd be first footer with a piece of coal, bread and half a crown. I remember him doing this every year.

Esspee that was quite a initiation for the poor lad. Obviously didn't put him off!

mcem he had a wonderful time.

I should add.....
.......as did I when I went to live in the Caribbean.

On the thought of being in Jamaica right now! Happy warm memories in every sense of the word!

Ive lived in London all my life and no one I know does first footing and I’d never seen it done I thought it was a Scottish thing.

Oh the thought! Not on the thought!!

Well I'm a miserable old bat. People do first foot around here (Scotland) and our town will be lively tonight but I'm going to have a quiet drink with DH and go to bed.
Bah humbug!

We were sent to bed when we were children but I always stayed awake to hear the ships in the harbour hooting to welcome the new year. My tall, dark uncle was always welcome as a first footer with coal and salt in hand. I think my parents were usually at home to welcome all the first footers who went up and down the road, stopping at our door. Everyone in the neighbourhood knew everyone else.

To be honest, I wish I could do the same, Grammaretto. I'm getting too old for this!!!

we've all the family arriving soon and we'll put my OH out at 2 minutes to midnight with whisky,shortbread,coal and salt as we've always done then on the first chimes of 12 we'll let him in with a warm hug and a hope for a good 2019 .We'll likely sit until the wee sma hours and its dinner here before everyone heads home tomorrow .Have a Happy .Healthy and prosperous 2019

I remember it from childhood in the NE, and also when we lived near Hull. Husband had dark hair in those days and was always welcomed on New Year's Eve when we knocked at neighbour's houses.

I live in Scotland but first footing no longer happens in this area. It must be 15 years since I can last recall it happening.

Never seen it or heard of anyone I know doing it and thought that it was purely a Scottish tradition. Really surprised to hear about English people doing it in England - You learn something every day!
Happy New Year to all - I'll be in bed by 10 though as DGS wakes early and he's staying with me tonight ?