Yule Lads
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Know Your Yule Lad Basics: We Keep Getting Older, Yule Lads Stay The Same Age
In 2005, we were a struggling publication, and we decided to take a leap and detail the unique Icelandic Christmas tradition of Grýla, Leppalúði, and their children, the Yule Lads. Little did we know that our explanation of the characters from Jóhannes…
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Ask An Expert: Are there more than 13 Yule Lads?
With Christmas on the horizon, we can once again look forward to visits from our favourite holiday tricksters . But the thirteen Yule Lads we know and love today were not the only ones lurking in the mountains back in the day.…
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The Father Of Icelandic Christmas: Brian Pilkington Brings The Yule Lads To Life
When you ask a child in Iceland what the Yule Lads look like, you might expect them to show you an old, Icelandic book–something as old and ancient as the tale of the Yule Lads themselves. But while the troublemaking brothers are…
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The Most Favourite Yule Lad Has Been Determined Once Again
As with every year, Market and Media Research has conducted a poll to determine which of Iceland’s 13 Yule Lads is the most popular. Turns out, little has changed over the years. As the data snows, Kertasníkir (shown above) is the most…
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Kertasníkir Declines In Popularity, Still Top Yule Lad
The Yule Lad who arrives on Christmas Eve to steal all your candles is, once again, the most popular of all the Yule Lads – although survey comparisons between the years show his dominance might be threatened. According to a new poll…
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What Is Icelandic Christmas? Who Are The Yule Lads? Why The Grýla?
You’ve heard this, but it bears repeating: Christmas in Iceland is a little different. Instead of one Santa, Iceland has thirteen. These thirteen jólasveinar—Yule Lads, as they’re referred to in English—each have their own little character quirk, which usually involves something menacing.…
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The Encyclopaedia of Icelandic Holidays
Aðfangadagur (Ath-founga-dager) December 24, Aðfangadagur, is the day Icelanders celebrate Christmas (as opposed to December 25 in most countries). The first half of the day usually goes towards finishing off all of the last-minute preparations, making food, wrapping presents, bathing and putting…
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Most And Least Popular Yule Lads Polled
A new poll is out on who are the most and least popular Yule Lads in Iceland, and the results show the last to arrive is the clear winner. The poll, conducted by Market and Media Research (MMR), asked Icelanders who their…
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Hey, It’s Those Yule Lads!
The Icelandic Jólasveinar (Yule Lads) have little to do with the international Santa Claus. They are descended from trolls, and were originally bogeymen who scared children. During this century they have mellowed, and sometimes don red suits. Their number varied in old…
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Hip-Hop Lads: A Poem
Let me tell the story of the lads of mad fun, who will at Christmas time come visit 101. Some came from the Farms, the two Wolves, you know, some mess around downtown all put on a show. Finní owns Prikið –…
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Mischief, Mayhem & Hip-Hop With Iceland’s New Yule Lads
The Yule Lads are the thirteen Icelandic Santa Clauses who descend one-by-one on the thirteen days before Christmas to play tricks on Icelandic children. Their mother, Grýla, a mountain Ogress, eats badly-behaved children; her partner-in-crime is Leppalúði, another ogre and Grýla’s third…
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VIDEO: The Essence Of Icelandic Christmas
Like most decent Reykjavikings, Grapevine’s friend Kormákur Arthursson hung out in 101 Reykjavík on December 23rd. His trusty smartphone in hand, the rascal managed to catch the essence of what being an (non-empoverished-diseased-or-otherwise-troubled) Icelander at that particular time of year. Seeing this,…
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Grýla Steals Norwegian Weapons, Builds Gunthrone
The Ogress Grýla, Mother of Yule Lads, Eater of Children, Wife of Leppalúði, Mistress of Christmas Cat, Head of House Yule and ruler of the Great Black Desert and Moon Mountain has stolen the contested shipment of Norwegian machine guns and built…
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Kertasníkir Sends Sour Grapes Letter
Dear Grapevine, I’m writing in regards to an article I read in your last issue. You recommended candles from Tiger. “Cheap and colourful,” you said and I just wanted to say thanks for lying to me, assholes. I went to Tiger and…
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Ketkrókur Sets House On Fire Trying To Smoke Meat
Twelfth Yule Lad Ketkrókur, Meat Hook, accidentally set a house on fire in Vesturbær last night after attempting to smoke meat in a person’s home. The capital’s Fire and Rescue squad responded quickly, limiting the damage to the kitchen. “Well I just…
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The Yule Lads Get Appy!
As every Iceland-enthusiast knows, the thirteen mischievous Yule Lads take turns leaving small gifts in Icelandic kids’ shoes in the days leading up to December 24—in a particular, predetermined order, no less (we’ve been marking each one’s arrival by posting daily news…
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Gáttaþefur Breaks Nose, Will Have To Wait Month For Treatment
The eleventh Yule Lad, Gáttaþefur (Door Sniffer) was admitted to hospital yesterday after slipping on a stretch of icy pavement in downtown Reykjavík. “I had just caught the scent of some Laufabrauð when I slipped and fell flat on my face,” Gáttaþefur…
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Hacktivist Gluggagægir Arrested On Suspicion Of Espionage
The tenth Yule Lad, Gluggagægir (Window Peeper), was arrested last night on suspicion of espionage. Gluggagægir was apprehended after police received reports of him loitering outside Alþingi, peeking through windows. Gluggagægir has spent centuries peeping through people’s windows, curious about the going’s…
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Bæjarins Beztu Beef Up Security In Anticipation Of Bjúgnakrækir
Popular hot dog stand Bæjarins Beztu hired extra security last night in preparation for the arrival of the ninth Yule Lad, Bjúgnakrækir (Sausage Swiper). “We couldn’t afford losses like last year,” said the vendor on duty, Jói, when the Grapevine caught up…
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Skyrgámur Shares Seasonal Skyr Cake Recipe
For centuries, each Christmas, I have indulged in Iceland’s greatest culinary innovation, Skyr. Now, this beloved strained yoghurt continues to gain popularity across continents. Earlier this year MS Iceland Dairies (Mjólkursamsalan) predicted that 60 million pots of skyr would be sold internationally…
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Hurðaskellir Releases Debut Album: Door Sounds
The Seventh Yule Lad, Hurðaskellir (Door Slammer), will be launching his new experimental electro-punk album “Door Sounds” at Kex Hostel tonight. The album, co-produced by the energetic Ghostigital duo Einar Örn Benediktsson and Curver, features loops of doors slamming, hinges creaking, keys…
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The Encyclopaedia of Icelandic Holidays
Aðfangadagur (Ath-founga-dager) December 24, Aðfangadagur, is the day Icelanders celebrate Christmas (as opposed to December 25 in most countries). The first half of the day usually goes towards finishing off all of the last-minute preparations, making food, wrapping presents, bathing and putting…
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Askasleikir Unveils New Omaggio Askur
The sixth Yule Lad, Askasleikir (Bowl Licker), unveiled the newest addition to the Omaggio design family at the much-anticipated Kähler holiday event last night. Several rumours have been floating around on the internet about how the company would innovate next and fans…