Icelandic Christmas folklore

The folklore includes mischievous pranksters who leave gifts at night and monsters who eat disobedient children.

The figures are depicted as living together as a family in a cave and include: These Christmas-related folktales first appeared around the 17th century and displayed some variation based on region and age.

In the mid-19th century, author Jón Árnason drew inspiration from the Brothers Grimm and began collecting folktales.

[3] In 1932, the poem "Yule Lads" was published as a part of the popular poetry book Christmas is Coming (Jólin koma) by Icelandic poet Jóhannes úr Kötlum.

Originally, she lived in a small cottage, but in later poems, she appears to have been forced out of town and into a remote cave.

Her third husband Leppalúði[b] is said to be living with her in their cave in the Dimmuborgir lava fields, with the big black Yule Cat and their sons.

Much like their mother, the Yule Lads were originally portrayed by Jón Árnason not as gift-givers but as kidnappers of children who misbehaved during the Christmas season, along with their usual prankster activities.

[8] In modern times, the Yule Lads have also been depicted in a more benevolent role[2] comparable to Santa Claus and other related figures.

They are generally portrayed wearing late-medieval Icelandic clothing but are sometimes shown in the costume traditionally worn by Santa Claus, especially at children's events.

Each Yule Lad arrives individually and stays for a visit of thirteen days, starting 12 December.

One rare nursery rhyme mentions two female Yule pranksters who steal melted fat by stuffing it up their noses or putting it in socks.