T Stands For First Footing

 

After 37 years of marriage, Himself finally consented to be the First Footer. (His excuse for not wanting to be a First Footer in previous years was because he was asleep before midnight on New Year's Eve and we'd wake him up just before midnight so he could ring in the New Year. What a pork pie furphy!)

Anyway. First Footing is a Scottish tradition. The First Footer, the first person to cross your threshold in the New Year, brings good luck to the household. The First Foot should be a tall, dark-haired man. Being blond or red-haired is considered bad luck and harks to the days of Viking raids when a blond or red-haired dude on your doorstep meant big trouble. Himself has more white than dark hair, but we called it good.

The First Footer also brings gifts of coal/wood, shortbread, salt, bread, and whiskey. The gifts can be symbolic. Since this First Footing was a bit spur of the moment, I put together a gift bag for Himself to carry. The gifts he presented to the household were a coin, a couple of packages of cookies, a can of soda, and a battery. The coin represented prosperity, the cookies and soda to ensure food in the larder, and the battery a sort of fuel to provide heat and light.

Himself's mother had told us long ago there was also a ritual that the First Footer had to be dressed properly. Coat, hat. I think gloves and a scarf.  Himself wasn't really keen on this idea, so he donned a coat and hat. After the clock struck midnight, he took his bag of gifts and went into the front porch. 

After midnight, the First Foot knocks on the door. Three knocks is traditional, but the First Foot can knock on the door any way they please. 

I thought Himself would tap out Shave and a Haircut, but he went the traditional route. While all of this was going on there was a lot of giggling and laughing.

I opened the door and Himself greeted us with "A Happy New Year and Good Tidings to you and yours”. He researched what he was to do and say from  First Footing Hogmanay traditions and customs for New Year’s Eve celebration in the UK

I invited Himself in and said, "Peace to all who enter. Wipe your feet!" which was a line from the movie The Quiet Man. Yeah, it's about an Irish-American in Ireland. Ireland. Scotland. Tomato. Tomahto 😉

He gave his gifts to us and explained what they were for. 

I was required to offer the First Foot a libation. It's a faux pas if a beverage isn't offered and even more rude if the First Foot refuses the drink. Himself was offered a glass of Sparkling cider. Himself, the Eldest, and I toasted the New Year and then headed to bed.

Meanwhile. Quill was not happy that his bedtime routine had been upset because of the holiday. Normally, Quill and I head to bed around 10 PM. At some point during our festivities, Quill had gone to the bedroom and barfed on the floor by Himself's side of the bed and then unceremoniously barfed on my blanket.

With beginning the New Year by having to clean up cat yak, the year can only go uphill. Always look on the bright side of life.

Drop by hosts, Bleubeard and Elizabeth's blog to find out what the rest of the T Stands For gang is up to. If you want to play, include in your Tuesday post a beverage or container for a beverage. Don't forget to link your blog to Bleubeard and Elizabeth's page.