Introduction to this year's "Yule Lads"

The past few years I have posted copies of introduction and activity for the Icelandic Yule Lads.  This year, Julie and I thought it might be fun to do our own photos and version of the Lads.  The plan is to introduce the Lads to give others a perspective of Icelandic traditions at Christmas.

A Christmas tale featuring the Yule Lads of Iceland.

Our story starts with Gryla, the troll mother of the Yule Lads who is also known as "The Child Eater"!! In the 1600's, children in Iceland grew up hearing tales of the evil ogress. Gryla had stalked Iceland for years at Christmas time, searching for children that misbehaved. Her favourite dish was a stew made by boiling naughty children. HEY... don't blame me - this must be correct because its right here on the pages of the inter web.

OK...Gryla is a mythical giantess and most of the stories told about her were meant to frighten naughty brats at Christmas. Apparently the tales of Gryla's Christmas terror scared the living crap out of all Icelandic kids and by 1746 the kids were so terrified that they didn't dare to leave their homes. The government of Iceland realized that this was becoming an issue affecting the social festivities of Christmas so the government leader - Justsson (babyface) Trudeaufinson - stepped in and banned the use of Gryla's misdeeds as an intimidation tactic.

So, with Gryla cleaning up her act, the 13 Lads (Gryla's sons) became her messengers and were sent individually into towns to spread holiday joy rather than fear. The Lads placed gifts into shoes left in the window sills by the children. If the child in the house had been good, he or she would receive a small gift placed in the shoe. If they were deemed to be naughty, well no more kid stew, but they would wake up christmas day with a rotten potato stuffed into their Uggs.

Now, the Lads are not squeaky clean like Santa Claus. They are still known as mischievous pranksters - bordering on being petty criminals - so they remained largely hidden and did cause trouble around the homes and farms of Iceland. They feel this is OK to do, especially if they do not find reciprocal treats for each Lad that corresponds to their personality.

Tomorrow we will start to meet the Lads.

Life is Good