- First Footing: On the first of January the first foot in the house should be male, dark, and handsome and should carry symbolic coal.
- Handsel Monday: The first Monday of the new year where employers give their staff presents.
- Burns Night: On January 25th the anniversary of the birth of the poet Robert Burns in 1759.
- Candlemas Day: On February began as a Roman festival to celebrate the return of spring.