Christmas Traditions For locals, Christmas in Iceland is a most welcome reprieve from the perennial dark. Visitors will find that many of the Icelandic Christmas traditions are amusing and often quite unusual. Where to start? There’s the Christmas cat, a lot of great food, a little bit of truly bad food, way too many fireworks, bonfires, a “book flood,” and an endless amount of Santa Clauses (we call them Yule Lads). The city comes alive at Christmastime and walking around downtown you are bound to run into some Christmas music, quirky Christmas characters, and a healthy dose of holiday cheer. Welcome to Christmastime in Iceland! 28
Christmas with the lads The Yule Lads are Iceland’s version of Santa Claus and we have 13 of them! More santas equals more gifts, right? Icelandic kids get a little treat from each of them when they come into town from the mountains, from December 12 until Christmas Eve. In older folklore they used to be mischievous tricksters, but nowadays, they leave gifts in children’s shoes (if they behave well… if they act out they’ve got a potato coming their way). The main feast takes place on Christmas Eve at precisely six o’clock. Parents beware though, as the Christmas Cat will eat your children if they receive no new clothing before Christmas. It’s one of the weirder Christmas lore out there
but most people just make sure to be wearing at least a fresh pair of socks to stay out of the Christmas kitty’s maw. Food, glorious food The Christmas meal is the most special meal of the year, and it has historical connotations. Not many decades have passed since Iceland was a poor country where feasts were few and far between. Hangikjöt (smoked lamb) was the traditional Christmas meal while rjúpa (ptarmigan) was a treat for the poorer folk. Today, it’s considered a delicacy, as you have to catch your own or make a deal with a hunter if you want some. In addition, some holiday tables feature staples such as reindeer, turkey, and hamborgarhryggur (glazed rack of ham).