In Iceland, there’s a very old legend shared at Christmas-time about a nasty ogre-troll named Grýla. She was horrible and ugly and feared across the land. Parents would warn their children about Grýla, who looked for lazy and naughty children. She snuck down into the villages to steal them away, hiding them in mountain caves until she turned them into bad kids stew.
She had help from her huge cat, named Jólakötturinn (Yo’ la ko turin), the Yule Cat, and thirteen of her troll children. The trolls became known as Jólasveinarnir (Yo’ las vin are nur), – the Yule Lads – because they would come down from the mountain in the winter when the nights were much longer than the summer. Children in Iceland made sure to be extra good and helpful around Christmas time, or else Grýla and the Yule Lads would get them for misbehaving. The trolls started arriving in the middle of December until by Christmas Eve, all thirteen were together.
Stekkjastaur (Stek’ ya stir) Sheep-Cote Clod Dec 12
Giljagaur (Gill’ ya grr) Gully Gawk Dec 13
Stúfur (Stew’ fur) Stufur Dec 14
Þvörusleikir (Thur’ a slaker) Spoon Licker Dec 15
Pottaskefill (Pot’ a sky fill) Pot Scraper Dec 16
Askasleikir (Ask’ a slaker) Bowl Licker Dec 17
Hurðaskellir (Her’ tha sket ler) Door Slammer Dec 18
Skyrgámur (Skeer’ ga mur) Skyr Gobbler Dec 19
Bjúgnakrækir (Buke’ na cry gear) Sausage Swiper Dec 20
Gluggagægir (Glugga’ guy year) Window Peeper Dec 21
Gáttaþefur (Gotta’ thev er) Door Sniffer Dec 22
Ketkrókur (Keta’ croaker) Meat Hook Dec 23
Kertasnikir (Care’ ta sneaker) Candle Beggar Dec 24
