There's a Scottish tradition on Hogmanay or New Year's Eve called First Footing. “First footing” (or the “first foot” in the house after midnight) is still common across Scotland. To ensure good luck for the house the first foot should be a dark male, and he should bring with him symbolic pieces of coal, shortbread, salt, black bun and a wee dram of whisky. The dark male bit is believed to be a throwback to the Viking days, when a big blonde stranger arriving on your door step with a big axe meant big trouble, and probably not a very happy New Year!" excerpt from The History of HogmanayWe weren't first footed on New Year's Eve even though I always try to get Himself to first foot us as he's tall and dark., but we were First Mailed. The first piece of mail I got to ring in the New Year was a lovely New Year card printed on her Letterpress by my friend, Tiggy, from Scotland. In her note she wrote: As you can see I have been playing Letterpress - 36 pt. Garamond I had found plus 36 pt. Versals.
"The fragrance always stays in the hand that gives the rose."
Thank you, dear Tiggy, you helped start off my year on a happy note. Always nice to get a card in the mail instead of a bill. =^,.^=
That's a real treasure of a letter, how lovely. We had Scottish neighbours in England who always kept the tradition of first footing. Valerie
ReplyDeleteIsn't it just?
DeleteA lovely piece of mail, complete with fab Star Wars stamps.
ReplyDeleteThey are really cool stamps
DeleteI've never heard of that tradition, but "First Mail" sounds like a reasonable (and more likely) substitute. What a lovely quote!
ReplyDeleteI think I might try this quote in my Wabi Sabi book
DeleteNever heard this legend. Thanks for sharing! (always good to get 'love' letters instead of bills!) :)
ReplyDeleteI first heard it while dating Himself. His paternal grandmother was from Scotland. Himself's mother told me about First Footing as she always tried to get Himself to First Foot the house.
DeleteHow interestsing - this is new to me. I like your first piece of mail. Very nice. I may never forget this Scottish legend - I will have to pay attention to what steps first into my reality on the new year.
ReplyDeleteThe other part of the tradition is you don't want a red headed male to be first foot. That's not good and might go back to a Viking standing at your door.
DeleteI love that first footing new year tradition. It is always so fascinating to discover what those traditions are in other places! This one sounds like one of the best though. Maybe next year you can get the hubby to do the first footing. Hugs-Erika
ReplyDeleteI've been trying for nearly 34 years and haven't succeeded!
DeleteI have never heard of this tradition! That is so special, for what you got for your first mail! You got me thinking CJ, my first mail this year, was a gift too.
ReplyDeleteA gift to start off the year is a good thing
DeleteHappy Dance!
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