A Way to Start the New Year With Your Best Foot Forward
'In English and Scottish folklore first-footing decrees that the first visitor to your house, after midnight, will determine your year. So this could be where things have been going wrong...
A male visitor is said to bring luck (no, you don't say?). Getting specific, he should be dark, so why not just add tall and handsome to the wish list and be done with it? Tradition says he will come bearing gifts such as money, bread, or coal. Just turning up is a good start...
If he's blond, red-headed, or worst of all, isn't a he but a she who's first at your front door, you're going to have bad luck. Be very cautious whom you invite over and use your peephole before opening the door. You could always refuse to answer. Or tell blond friends to come back tomorrow; they should understand.'
...from 'A Year in High Heels' by Camilla Morton
A male visitor is said to bring luck (no, you don't say?). Getting specific, he should be dark, so why not just add tall and handsome to the wish list and be done with it? Tradition says he will come bearing gifts such as money, bread, or coal. Just turning up is a good start...
If he's blond, red-headed, or worst of all, isn't a he but a she who's first at your front door, you're going to have bad luck. Be very cautious whom you invite over and use your peephole before opening the door. You could always refuse to answer. Or tell blond friends to come back tomorrow; they should understand.'
...from 'A Year in High Heels' by Camilla Morton