"[4] 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 celebration marking the end of the harvest season, in which people recited verses door-to-door in exchange for food, and lit ritual bonfires.
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.
Instead, the first-foot should bring a selection of gifts for the household, which can include; a silver coin; shortbread or a black bun; salt; coal; and a drink, usually whisky.
A. W. Moore in his book Folklore of the Isle of Man described the practice: The qualtagh (he or she) may also be the first person who enters a house on New Year's morning.
[13][14] The New Year Blessing in Manx[15] Ollick ghennal erriu as bleïn feer vie, Seihll as slaynt da’n slane lught thie.
Cadley sauçhey tra vees shiu ny lhie, As feeackle y jargan, nagh bee dy mie.
In Serbian folklore, the polaznik, polažajnik, polaženik, or radovan, is the first person who visits the family on Christmas Day.
[16] Like the first-foot tradition, it is expected that the visit will ensure good luck and well-being for the household in the ensuing year.
After the first-foot, the lady of the house serves the guests with Christmas treats or gives them an amount of money to ensure that good luck will come in the new year.