Can you guess how many Father Christmases there are in Iceland?

Answer

What will be in your stocking this year?
There are 13 Jolasveinars (Father Christmas) in Iceland. Each one has a different name. See if you can pronounce their names: Stekkjarstaur, Giljagaur, Stufur, Thvorusleikir, Pottaskefill, Askasleikir, Hurdarskellir, Skyrgamur, Bjugnakraekir, Gluggagaegir, Gattathefur, Ketkrokur and Kertasnikir.


Jolasveinars are different from the Father Christmas we know because they do naughty things like slamming doors. They are sometimes called 'Christmas boys because of the mischief they do.

Each Jolasveinar is naughty in different ways. Candle Beggar snatches candles. Meat Hooker tries to run off with the roast and Door Slammer awakens sleepers by slamming doors.



The 13 Jolasveinars each arrive on a different day, beginning Dec. 12 until Christmas Day.

December 23rd is St. Thorlakur's Day named after Iceland's major native Saint, Thorlakur Thorhallsson. There is a tradition in Iceland to eat the fish named skate on this day.

In Iceland they open their presents around the Christmas tree on Christmas Eve.

The traditional Christmas dinner is smoked lamb.

A traditional greeting to the Elves was:


Let those who want to, arrive
Let those who want to, leave
Let those who want to, stay
Without harm to me or mine.

The housewife was supposed to chant this on New Year's Eve.

Elfin gold could be obtained from the Elves by sitting at a crossroads waiting for them to pass by.
Bonfires on New Year's Eve have been lit in Iceland since the late 18th century. In this century the custom of "sprengja út árið", "blowing out the year" has been observed by detonating fireworks, and many families spend a small fortune on them. It is usually a night of great merriment, with the family spending the first part of the evening together. However, dances start a little before midnight and young people usually go to a dance.