Yule Lads stamps from http://iceland.intracore.com
Mischievous, monstrous or generous? Iceland has 13 equivalents of Santa Claus who appear on separate nights in the lead-up to Christmas. Their origin was in Icelandic folklore, and they were a useful way to keep children in check as they had some quite vile behavioural characteristics.
These days the Yule lads are benevolent, gift-giving fellas and often appear dressed basically like Santa Claus that can probably be hired for public appearances. All a child has to do to receive a present is leave a shoe on the window sill. If they’ve been bad, mind, they’ll find a potato in that shoe on Christmas morning.
Here’s a cheesey Yule lads video:
Here’s a list:
December 12 Stekkjastaur (Sheep-Cote Clod) – Harasses sheep, but is impaired by his stiff peg-legs.
December 13 Giljagaur (Gully Gawk) – Hides in gullies, waiting for an opportunity to sneak into the cowshed and steal milk.
December 14 Stúfur (Stubby) – Abnormally short. Steals pans to eat the crust left on them.
December 15 Þvörusleikir (Spoon-Licker) Steals Þvörur (a type of a wooden spoon with a long handle – I. þvara) to lick. Is extremely thin due to malnutrition.
December 16 Pottasleikir (Pot-Licker) Steals leftovers from pots.
December 17 Askasleikir (Bowl-Licker) Hides under beds waiting for someone to put down their ‘askur’ (a type of bowl with a lid used instead of dishes), which he then steals.
December 18 Hurðaskellir (Door-Slammer) Likes to slam doors, especially during the night.
December 19 Skyrgámur (Skyr-Gobbler) A Yule Lad with an affinity for skyr.
December 20 Bjúgnakrækir (Sausage-Swiper) Would hide in the rafters and snatch sausages that were being smoked.
December 21 Gluggagægir (Window-Peeper) A voyeur who would look through windows in search of things to steal.
December 22 Gáttaþefur (Doorway-Sniffer) Has an abnormally large nose and an acute sense of smell which he uses to locate laufabrauð.
December 23 Ketkrókur (Meat-Hook) Uses a hook to steal meat.
December 24 Kertasníkir (Candle-Stealer) Follows children in order to steal their candles (which in those days was made of tallow and thus edible).
Proof of Yule Lads’ existence
Has to be true:
Buy some Yule Lads’ figurines
The Nordic store are selling this set of 16 figures:
Yule Lads figurines
The devilish-looking character at the back is the lads’ troll mother, and there’s even a Yule cat who attacks those unfortunates who don’t receive a new piece of clothing at Christmas.
Born in Belfast and now living in London, Julie McNamee is involved in internet marketing as a day job and blogging as a hobby. She’s interested in all things quirky and Fortean, as well as art, photography and theatre. Her blog Quirky Travel, specializes in London and Paris top tips and off the beaten path information with subjects such as London film locations and unusual Paris museums.
