Coming from the North East of England, our tradition was always to send a tall dark man outside just before midnight to wait for 'the bells'. Once midnight had struck he would be allowed in carrying a piece of coal and some money. This was to bring warmth and good fortune for the coming year. Families would then go round the neighbourhood knocking on doors, and being invited in for a drink and a mince pie. This was called 'first-footing'. We don't do this any more but if we've been out celebrating we still bring in a piece of firewood for the woodstove. This is the wood waiting by the front door.
