Icelandic Jólasveinar 1
Shut your eyes, Min!
Hitty Constance and Min went on a long hike in Iceland last summer, and spent some time investigating elf houses, troll caves, and hidden people’s traditions. According to Icelandic midwinter custom, children should leave a shoe out on the windowsill for each of the 13 nights before Christmas. If they’ve been good, a Yule Lad (different one every night) might leave a small gift. If they’ve not been good, they’ll probably get a raw potato! Min thinks the Yule Lads might find their way to Victoria and has put her shoes out just in case…
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Sheep-Worrier is up to no good.
The first Yule Lad to come is Stekkjarstaur, sometimes called “Sheep Worrier” or Gimpy..he comes on December 12th!
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To read all about the 2012 Jólasveinar visits to the Quimper Hitty cupboard, click here.
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This tradition is explained in the Icelandic Yule/Jól website here.
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I like potatoes just fine, but a nice gift from Stekkjarstaur would be appreciated!! I’m taking my shoes off my flippers as we speak and patiently waiting now!…
Sorry Toad, you already missed Stekkarsjakur. Maybe the other Yule lads will oblige…
Seems one has to be prepared in advance for the Stekkjarstaur!. I hope Min’s preparation is rewarded. And, has she been a good girl? I would not want the Jólasveinar mother Grýla to be checking up on her!
No, keep Grýla far far away, and the evil Christmas Cat too!