First footing gifts

iwantanipod

I wonder if the clever folk on here can help me. Last year I bought from our school fair a bag with a piece of coal, a penny and, I think, a candle, all tied up with tartan ribbon and with a laminated tag attached. I'd like to make some myself this year, and wondered if anyone on this forum has made them. I so enjoy reading and trying to make some of the crafts I've seen on here. You are such a talened lot!

Many thanks in advance
xx

Maggie_Bob

Oh, I've never made those, but that's a very good idea - I'd pop a whisky miniature in there too!

Swan_2

what about kippers dressed up in brightly coloured crepe paper frocks?

seriously, I can remember stalls selling those as first-footing gifts

RustyFlange

Can I be really thick and ask what first footing gifts are? it's not something I have ever heard of?

Swan_2

it's a Scots tradition, the first person to enter your home, ie first foot over the doorstep, after midnight at New Year, would traditionally bring a gift, usually a piece of coal and/or salt (never heard of the candle, maybe a regional thing?)

a tall dark male first foot brings good luck for the following year

craftyfox

my dad used to make whisps out of straw and he would have firstfooted half the villiage - he died last year and i've been married for 15 years and he would have been with me on newyear day and i still have all the whisps in my front hall and you are supposed to give them silver usually a shilling which sort of turned into 20p and dad used to keep these from\one year to the next - but most people just coal

pottersfolly

we always had a dark haired male or female who held a piece of coal for warmth, a coin for wealth and a slice of bread for food, to ensure you had all 3 in the year ahead.

sandy2_2

craftyfox wrote: »

my dad used to make whisps out of straw and he would have firstfooted half the villiage -

what's a whisp please

98jdougl

yeah, i always did that coal/log for heat, coin for wealth and bread for food lol

stormbreaker

How about snowman poop this year!

craftyfox

sandy2 not to sure where it comes from think it might be a pagen thing but it is about 10' long plat made from straw - will try and remember and ask my mum about and let you know