The Modern Yule Lads
All About Iceland's 13 Christmas PrankstersDuring the 13 days leading up to Christmas, the Yule Lads descend from the mountains, each arriving on a different night. Their playful antics and quirky personalities bring a sense of excitement and anticipation to the holiday season. By leaving small gifts, a potato or playful tricks in their wake, they embody the spirit of joy and surprise, making each day a delightful countdown to Christmas.
Stekkjastaur / Sheep-Cote Clod
December 12:
Stekkjastaur is the first of the Yule Lads to arrive, hobbling his way down from the mountains on his stiff legs. Despite his awkwardness, he has a determined mission: to harass the local sheep. Unfortunately for him, his stiff legs make it difficult to chase or catch any sheep, leading to a comical display of failed attempts. Still, he is persistent, always hoping to outwit the flock, which makes him both mischievous and somewhat endearing.
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Giljagaur / Gully Gawk
December 13:
Giljagaur is a sneaky character who hides in gullies, waiting for the right moment to creep into barns and steal milk. He’s known for his quiet but cunning approach, slipping into places unnoticed to indulge his obsession with fresh milk. While he’s one of the quieter Yule Lads, his dedication to getting his hands on dairy makes him relentless, and the villagers have learned to keep a close eye on their milk when he’s around.
Stúfur / Stubby
December 14:
As the smallest of the Yule Lads, Stúfur more than makes up for his size with his mischievous nature. His favorite pastime is stealing pans to scrape off the leftover food crusts. He’s quick, nimble, and hard to spot, which helps him snatch his snack unnoticed. Stúfur’s antics often lead to humorous moments as he tries to reach pans that are too big for him, making him one of the more amusing and lighthearted Yule Lads.
Þvörusleikir / Spoon Licker
December 15:
Þvörusleikir, or Spoon Licker, is known for his unusual habit of sneaking into kitchens and licking wooden spoons clean. Tall and thin due to his peculiar diet, he’s always on the lookout for spoons to swipe. While his behavior might seem odd, there’s something endearing about his dedication to such a specific food source. His gangly figure and his spoon-licking obsession make him a unique and quirky addition to the group.
Pottasleikir / Pot Licker
December 16:
Pottasleikir, true to his name, has a love for scraping the leftovers from pots. He lurks in kitchens, waiting for the chance to grab a pot and enjoy the scraps of food left inside. His behavior is more opportunistic than malicious—he’s just looking for a snack in the easiest way possible. Pottasleikir’s actions are familiar to anyone who enjoys licking the bowl after baking, which makes his mischief a little more relatable.
Askasleikir / Bowl Licker
December 17:
Askasleikir hides under beds, waiting for people to place their bowls on the floor after finishing their meals. Once the coast is clear, he snatches the bowl and licks it clean. His sneaky behavior and knack for timing make him one of the stealthiest Yule Lads. While his antics could be annoying, he’s really just looking to satisfy his hunger with whatever scraps remain, making him less of a menace and more of an opportunist.
Hurðaskellir / Door Slammer
December 18:
Hurðaskellir is a loud, mischievous Yule Lad who delights in slamming doors, especially during the night when everyone is trying to sleep. His pranks are simple but effective, designed to cause maximum disruption with minimal effort. Hurðaskellir takes great pleasure in the chaos he causes, leaving a trail of startled villagers in his wake. His behavior may be frustrating, but it’s hard not to smile at his childish glee over such a simple trick.
Skyrgámur / Skyr Gobbler
December 19:
Skyrgámur has one true passion in life: eating skyr, the traditional Icelandic yogurt-like dairy product. His hunger for skyr knows no bounds, and he will go to great lengths to get his hands on it. Whenever skyr is nearby, Skyrgámur will stop at nothing to gobble it up, leaving empty containers in his wake. His gluttonous behavior is both amusing and impressive, as he seems to have an endless appetite for his favorite food.
Bjúgnakrækir / Sausage Swiper
December 20:
Bjúgnakrækir is a crafty Yule Lad with a love for sausages. His favorite trick is to climb into rafters or sneak into kitchens to swipe sausages that are left hanging to cure. His cleverness and agility make him one of the more skilled Yule Lads, as he can sneak in and out without leaving a trace. Despite his thievery, his love for sausages makes him a somewhat relatable character, and his antics often bring a smile to people’s faces.
Gluggagægir / Window Peeper
December 21:
Gluggagægir is a curious Yule Lad who loves to peer through windows to see what people are up to. He doesn’t always steal things—sometimes he’s just observing—but his prying eyes can make people uneasy. His snooping often leads to playful mischief, as he plots ways to sneak in and grab whatever catches his eye. While his behavior may seem intrusive, there’s a harmless curiosity to it, making him one of the more lighthearted troublemakers.
Gáttaþefur / Doorway Sniffer
December 22:
Giljagaur is a sneaky character who hides in gullies, waiting for the right moment to creep into barns and steal milk. He’s known for his quiet but cunning approach, slipping into places unnoticed to indulge his obsession with fresh milk. While he’s one of the quieter Yule Lads, his dedication to getting his hands on dairy makes him relentless, and the villagers have learned to keep a close eye on their milk when he’s around.
Ketkrókur / Meat Hook
December 23:
Ketkrókur is a skilled thief who uses a hook to steal meat, especially smoked lamb, from kitchen tables and hanging racks. His long hook allows him to grab meat from high places without being seen, making him one of the more clever Yule Lads. His love for meat makes him relentless in his pursuit, and his ability to steal without getting caught adds to his reputation as a crafty trickster.
Kertasníkir / Candle Beggar
December 24:
Kertasníkir, the last of the Yule Lads to arrive, is obsessed with candles. In the past, candles were made from tallow, meaning they were both a source of light and a potential snack. Kertasníkir follows children around in hopes of stealing their candles, craving both the light and warmth they provide. His obsession with candles adds a touch of humor to his otherwise sneaky behavior, making him a memorable figure to close out the Yule Lad visits.
Grýla / The Ogress
Grýla is the fearsome mother of the Yule Lads, known for her terrifying habit of snatching misbehaving children and cooking them into stew. She lives in a remote mountain cave and only descends during the Yule season to seek out those who haven’t behaved well. Unlike her playful sons, Grýla is a much darker figure in Icelandic folklore, with her monstrous appearance and insatiable appetite for naughty children. Though less prominent in modern celebrations, her legend still serves as a reminder to behave during the holiday season.
Jólakötturinn / The Yule Cat
The Yule Cat, or Jólakötturinn, is a giant, menacing feline that prowls the countryside during Christmas. This ferocious creature devours anyone who hasn’t received new clothes by Christmas Eve. The story of the Yule Cat was likely used to encourage people to finish their autumn chores and receive their reward of new clothes. The Yule Cat’s legend, though fearsome, remains a unique part of Icelandic holiday folklore, adding an eerie edge to the season’s festivities.
Voices of Tradition
“The Yule Lads, though once feared for their mischief and theft, have become cherished symbols of Icelandic tradition, blending the eerie with the festive in a way only our folklore can.”
Árni Björnsson
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