The Tale Of The Icelandic Yule Lads

Being a remote island separated from the rest of Europe or North America has some interesting perks – a lot of folkloric traditions have managed to survive in Iceland through the centuries that have either been replaced or abandoned elsewhere.

The troll Grýla is first mentioned in the 13^th century Saga of Icelanders and Snorri Sturlusson’s Prose Edda, but it was not until the 17^th century that the Poem of Grýla linked her and her 13 sons (the Yule Lads) to the Christmas season, the first of which arrives on December 12^th with a new one arriving each day until December 24^th.

Each mischievous lad visits for 13 days and according to the tradition, children should leave shoes on their windowsills for the Lads to fill.  Good children will receive small gifts from the Lads, but troublesome children would find a rotten potato left behind.

From December 12^th until December 25^th, Stekkjarstaur (Sheep Cote Clod) visits!  This troublemaker’s job is to harass the sheep.

Visiting from December 13^th to December 26^th was Giljagaur (Gully Gawk).  Hiding in gullies by day, this trickster stole milk from the cowshed.

Stúfur (Stubby) would harass people from December 14^th to December 27^th by stealing their precious pots and pans.

Þvörusleikir (Spoon Licker) wouldn’t steal anything, but from December 15^th to December 28^th would break into homes to lick their spoons, hoping to get a bite to eat.

From December 16^th to December 29^th, Pottaskefill (Pot Scraper) would steal people’s leftovers.

Perhaps the origin story for the monster under the bed, Askasleikir (Bowl Licker) would hide under children’s beds from December 17^th to December 30^th, eager to finish the remains of any bowls left on the floor.

Storming through homes from December 18^th to December 31^st was Hurðaskellir (Door Slammer), who would slam as many doors shut as he could to keep families awake.

To no one’s surprise, Skyrgámur (Skyr Gobbler) made it his mission from December 19^th to January 1^st to gobble up all the delicious Skyr (Icelandic yogurt) he could find.

From December 20^th to January 2^nd, Bjúgnakrækir (Sausage Swiper) went from home to home stealing everyone’s freshly smoked sausages!

Draw your drapes from December 21^st to January 3^rd because Gluggagægir (Window

Peeper) is making the rounds!  This devilish lad was a sneaky peeping tom!

Gáttaþefur (Doorway Sniffer) would use his unusually large nose to sniff out homes with laufabraud from December 22^nd to January 4^th, stealing the freshly baked bread from Icelanders before they could enjoy it themselves.

From December 23^rd to January 5^th, Ketkrókur (Meat Hook) would lurk behind kitchen doors or in cupboards ready to steal a family’s roast with his long hook.

And finally, from December 24^th to January 6^th, the last Yule Lad, Kertasníkir (Candle Stealer) might have been the worst of all.  Though it may seem innocuous now, for a people that survived 20-hour long nights in cold weather, candles were of crucial importance.  This final Yule Lad took great pleasure in stealing people’s precious candles!

The Yule Lads will get started with their visits this Friday, if you want to leave a shoe on your windowsill to see if you’re on the nice list.  You can learn more about the Yule Lads, and other Icelandic Christmas traditions, here.