No More Santa Mailbox In Akureyri

Akureyri town council has denied a permit for a mailbox which sends letters to one of Iceland’s “Yuletide Lads”.

Vísir reports that the mailbox was set up on the pedestrian walkway in downtown Akureyri last year. Aimed at tourists (but presumably open to anyone), those wishing to write a letter to one of Iceland’s Yuletide Lads are asked to purchase a special card for 1,500 ISK. In turn, one of these lads will personally send a reply to the person of your choosing, along with a little gift.

However, the Planning Committee of Akureyri town council believes that “the management and supervision of the mailbox is lacking,” and have given the owners until May 1 to remove it from the premises.

Guðmundur R. Lúðvíksson, the owner of the mailbox, is less than pleased with the decision.

“People talk about trying to take part in all kinds of tourist service ideas,” he told reporters. “But when someone has a good idea, they find themselves blocked.”

Guðmundur adds that many of the tourists who have sent letters to the Yuletide Lads have expressed their love of the country, including one tourist who requested a letter from a Yuletide Lad to her recently passed-away husband.

As such, Guðmundur disagrees with the objections of town council, and intends to challenge their decision.