The holidays seem to require traditions, the comforting rituals you associate with warmth, good cheer, and family.  Everyone has some holiday tradition to remember fondly, whether it’s allowing one special present to be opened on Christmas Eve, or that the youngest child lights the candles of the menorah, or setting off fireworks at midnight. 

One of the traditions that fascinates me is that of the first footer – a popular New Year’s tradition in Scotland and other parts of the United Kingdom.  The tradition holds that the first person to cross the threshold of a home after the stroke of midnight on New Year’s, called Hogmanay in Scotland, determines the luck of the household for the year.  A tall, dark-haired man is said to bring the best luck, whereas red-heads and women are said to bring bad luck.  And you had better be sure the first threshold crossing is in instead of out, or all your luck and prosperity will flow out of the house all year.  And the best luck is brought by a first footer who also brings small gifts – bread or cake to ensure no hunger in the coming year, a few small coins to ensure fiscal prosperity, or whiskey to bring good cheer. 

The first footer tradition is especially important to my character, Agnes Milton, in my short story “Over the Hogmanay Threshold.”  Agnes lives alone on a sparse Scottish heath and cannot depend on a wandering stranger to help her fulfill the tradition, so she has to come up with creative ways to ensure her luck in the coming year.  How does she do it?  You’ll have to read the story and see.

May you and yours have a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year.

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