The Icelandic Yule lads

The Icelandic Yule lads bear little similarity to the world-famous Santa Claus. In contrast, the Yule Lads are the sons of two of the most hideous ogres ever known in Iceland, Grýla and Leppalúði. Each Yule Lad has its own specific characteristic that describes itself in each of their names. They appear one by one from the mountains and start arriving 13 days before Christmas to wreak minor havoc during the festive preparations. They also leave little gifts in the shoes of well-behaved children, but ill-behaved children are not as fortunate since they only get a potato in their shoes.

Sheep-Cote Clod

December 12th

The first yule lad to come to town is Stekkjastaur (aka Sheep-Cote Clod). Famous for trying (and usually failing) to steal the sheep from any household he can find in town. With legs like sticks, he’s not exactly smooth in his movements! His goal? To cause a little mischief and terrorize as many Icelandic homes as he can before the sun comes up.

GULLY GAWK

December 13th

The second Yule Lad to visit is Giljagaur (or Gully Gawk). Known for lurking around the cowsheds, he waits for the perfect moment to sneak in and steal any fresh milk he can find. Cunning but clumsy, he often stumbles in his haste, leaving a trail of spilled milk behind him. His mission? To satisfy his mischievous thirst for creamy chaos while keeping Icelandic farmers on edge.

Stubby

December 14th

The third Yule Lad to arrive is Stúfur (aka Stubby). As his name suggests, he’s the shortest of the bunch but makes up for it with his sneaky ways. His favourite pastime? Snatching up any leftover pans to scrape off bits of crusty food. Don’t underestimate him—this pint-sized troublemaker is relentless in his hunt for scraps, leaving no cookware unturned!

Spoon licker

December 15th

The fourth Yule Lad to come along is Þvörusleikir (aka Spoon-Licker). Tall and gaunt, he’s infamous for his peculiar habit of stealing wooden spoons—especially the ones used for eating sweet desserts. His long tongue makes quick work of licking every last bit of food from them. His goal? To eat as much sweets off the stolen spoons as possible!

Pot scraper

December 16th

The fifth Yule Lad to make his appearance is Pottaskefill (aka Pot-Scraper). Always lurking near the kitchen, he’s on a mission to swipe unguarded pots and devour any tasty leftovers inside. His timing is impeccable, waiting until meals are over before making his move. Sometimes he'd come knocking to the door, prompting the children to rush and meet a guest. With the youngsters distracted, he clears out every pot he can find, leaving households wondering who had the last bite!

Bowl licker

December 17th

The sixth Yule Lad to arrive is Askasleikir (aka Bowl-Licker). His specialty? Hiding under beds, waiting for someone to leave their askur (a traditional Icelandic bowl) unattended. As soon as the coast is clear, he snatches it up and licks it clean, even when the bowls are left out for the cat or the dog to finish.

Door slammer

December 18th

The seventh Yule Lad to show up is Hurðaskellir (aka Door-Slammer). True to his name, he delights in slamming doors loudly, especially during the dead of night. His favorite targets are homes where everyone is fast asleep, ensuring maximum annoyance. It’s not food he’s after—just the joy of causing a racket that echoes through the cold Icelandic nights.

Skyr gobbler

December 19th

The eighth Yule Lad to visit is Skyrgámur (aka Skyr-Gobbler). A true lover of Iceland’s traditional yogurt-like delicacy, skyr, he’s always on the hunt for it. Whether it’s stored in a pantry or left out for a meal, nothing is safe from his greedy grasp. His obsession with skyr knows no bounds, making him a nightmare for dairy lovers across the country!

Sausage swiper

December 20th

The ninth Yule Lad to arrive is Bjúgnakrækir (aka Sausage-Swiper). Known for his stealth, he hides in roof rafters, waiting for the perfect moment to snatch hanging sausages. His agility and cunningness make him a master thief, though his love for smoked meats often gets him caught. He leaves behind nothing but empty hooks and a lingering scent of mischief in the air.

Window peeper

December 21st

The tenth Yule Lad - Gluggagægir - better known as Window-Peeper, is as nosy as they come. He sneaks around, peering through windows in search of treasures to steal—or simply to satisfy his curiosity. Whether it’s shiny trinkets or tempting treats, his prying eyes miss nothing. With Gluggagægir lurking about, no windowpane feels entirely private!

Door sniffer

December 22nd

The eleventh Yule Lad is Gáttaþefur (aka Doorway-Sniffer), and he’s guided by an extraordinary sense of smell. With his enormous nose, he can detect the aroma of laufabrauð (Icelandic leaf bread) from miles away. Stalking doorways, he sniffs out every chance to get his hands on the delicious holiday treat. His arrival guarantees that no baked goods are truly safe!

Meat hook

December 23rd

The twelfth Yule Lad is Ketkrókur, commonly called Meat-Hook. Armed with a long hook, he sneaks into homes to fish out smoked lamb or any other tasty meats hanging in storage. His tactics are bold but effective, leaving households scratching their heads over their disappearing dinners. Ketkrókur’s arrival signals trouble for anyone preparing a festive feast!

Candle beggar

December 24th

The thirteenth and final Yule Lad is Kertasníkir, also known as Candle-Beggar. Unlike his brothers, his mischief is a bit brighter—he follows children around, waiting for the right moment to snatch their candles. Back in the day, candles were made out of tallow and quite the edible treat, making him especially fond of his loot. With Kertasníkir in town, even the smallest light isn’t safe!