A Merry March of the Icelandic Yule Lads: A Tradition of Surprises
In the frosty embrace of an Icelandic winter, a magical tradition unfolds, bringing joy and excitement to children across the land. Meet the Icelandic Yule Lads, thirteen mischievous characters who embark on a journey to spread holiday cheer. Rooted in folklore, these creatures have become a cherished part of Iceland's Christmas celebrations.
Each night, beginning on December 12th and continuing until Christmas Eve, one of the Yule Lads visits Icelandic homes, leaving small gifts and treats for well-behaved children in their shoe. The catch? These Lads aren't your typical gift-givers; they're known for their playful antics and peculiar habits.
Meet the Lads
Stekkjastaur (Sheep-Cote Clod): He harasses sheep but is impaired by his stiff peg legs.
Giljagaur (Gully Gawk): The sneakiest of the lot, he hides in gullies, waiting for an opportunity to steal milk.
Stúfur (Stubby): With a penchant for small pots, Stúfur is on a quest for leftovers to fill his tiny belly.
Þvörusleikir (Spoon-Licker): As the name suggests, he loves to lick spoons—especially those left unwashed.
Pottasleikir (Pot-Scraper): This Lad is on a mission to scrape every last bit of food from pots.
Askasleikir (Bowl-Licker): His love for licking bowls knows no bounds, especially if they contain delicious leftovers.
Hurðaskellir (Door-Slammer): A noisy character, he enjoys slamming doors in the dead of night.
Skyrgámur (Skyr-Gobbler): Skyrgámur has a sweet tooth for Iceland's traditional dairy product, skyr.
Bjúgnakrækir (Sausage-Swiper): This sly Lad has a taste for sausages and will swipe them when he gets a chance.
Gluggagægir (Window-Peeper): He peers through windows, searching for things to steal.
Gáttaþefur (Doorway-Sniffer): With a keen sense of smell, Gáttaþefur sniffs out the aroma of freshly baked Laufabrauð (leaf bread).
Ketkrókur (Meat-Hook): Using his hook, he swipes meat left out for drying.
Kertasníkir (Candle-Stealer): The last Lad arrives on Christmas Eve, stealing candles as his final festive prank.
The Tradition
Icelandic children eagerly await the nightly visits of the Yule Lads by placing a shoe on their windowsill. If their behavior has been commendable, a small gift or treat magically appears in the shoe by morning. While mischievous children were once teased with a humble potato, this practice has largely been discontinued, recognizing that the Yule Lads are not responsible for parental duties. This cherished tradition, handed down through generations, is a source of enchantment during the holiday season. Once children cease to believe in the Yule Lads, the tradition of receiving shoe gifts comes to an end.
We recommend the children book 13 Yule Lads by Brian Pilkington as a Christmas gift for kids or to get to know the Yule Lads even better.