The first footing customs can vary wildly depending on the area. For instance, in many areas you want a tall dark haired man OR a red haired woman. If it's a read haired woman she must immediately come in and tend your fire before she speaks a word. That is incredibly good luck.

The first footing gifts also change depending on the area.

Where I grew up my dad was a sought after first-footed because he's called Andrew. The whole neighbourhood would leave their housed after the bells to go and first foot each other.

It's incredibly bad luck to first foot your own house. We usually have my friend Kevin first foot us(He's a tall, dark haired Kilted Japanese German American!) and until he moved away from our street my auburn haired wife would first foot him in return.