The 13 Icelandic Jólasveinar, or Santa Clauses, arrive in towns one by one in the 13 days leading up to Christmas Eve, leaving small presents for good children. If children were naughty, they leave potatoes instead of gifts. They depart town again after Christmas Day. The Jólasveinar were originally said to be the sons of Grýla and Leppalúði, troll-like figures who were said to eat misbehaving children. Their names and traditional red suits evolved over time to resemble modern Santa Claus figures. Grýla is an ogress who comes from the mountains at Christmas to find naughty children, while Leppalúði is her third husband who

1. 13 Icelandic Jólasveinar – Santa Clauses in Iceland Leikskólinn Furugrund Iceland

4. December 12th Stekkjarstaur - Gimpy

5. December 13th Giljagaur - Gully Imp

6. December 14th Stúfur - Itty Bitty

7. December 15th Þvörusleikir - Pot Scraper Licker

8. December 16th Pottasleikir - Pot Licker

9. December 17th Askasleikir - Bowl Licker

10. December 18th Hurðaskellir - Door Slammer

11. December 19th Skyrgámur - Skyr Gobbler

12. December 20th Bjúgnakrækir - Sausage Snatcher

13. December 21st Gluggagægir - Window Peeper

14. December 22nd Gáttaþefur - Doorway Sniffer

15. December 23rd Ketkrókur - Meat Hooker

16. December 24th Kertasníkir - Candle Beggar

18. At first the clothing of the Jólasveinar was just the ordinary, every-day wear of the common Icelander. In this century they have taken to wearing the traditional red suits of St. Nick or Santa Claus. In the last few years there has been a revival of the old style clothing.

19. Grýla Grýla is in Icelandic mythology a horrifying monster and an ogress living in the mountains of Iceland. She is said to come from the mountains at Christmas in search of naughty children. The Grýla legend has been frightening to the people of Iceland for many centuries - her name is even mentioned in Snorri Sturluson's thirteenth century Edda. Grýla was not directly linked to Christmas until in the 17th century. By that time she had become the mother of the Yule Lads.

20. Leppalúði According to folklore Grýla has been married three times. Her third husband Leppalúði is said to be living with her in their cave in the mountains with the big black Christmas cat and their sons. As Christmas approaches, Grýla sets off looking for naughty boys and girls. The Grýla legend has appeared in many stories, poems, songs and plays in Iceland and sometimes Grýla dies in the end of the story.

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