What do 13 Santas and a cat have to do with Icelandic Christmas traditions?

Although Christmas celebrations take place all over the world, different countries and cultures have their own traditions and Iceland is no exception. 13 Santa’s and a cat is considered curious to outsiders, it’s a part of Icelandic folklore featuring fun, gifts and mischief.

December is a wonderful time of the year, especially so in Iceland. Christmas celebrations take place all over the world with a variety of traditions, historical events and folklore regardless of religious beliefs. December and Christmas is always special in Iceland with much celebration and fun.  Icelandic Christmas is definitely different to anywhere else too.

While some parts of the globe enjoy the benefits of tropical temperatures, many others celebrate Christmas in the snow, Iceland is not alone on that score. Iceland is known for snow and freezing temperatures at Christmastime. That explains why gifts of warm, woolly blankets are popular, they are the perfect gift for the season. Take a look at these beautiful Icelandic wool blankets; they make a great decorative addition to your home décor or for gifting. As they’re “one size fits all”, you can’t go wrong either. Wool jumpers make ideal gifts too; they can be worn as an outer layer in calm winter weather or under a jacket. They’re breathable and temperature regulating when shovelling snow or running about fulfilling the seemingly never-ending to-do list in the run-up to Christmas, or after Christmas, going to the sales or any time of the UK winter.

What about those Icelandic Christmas traditions?

Just like many other places, you will find Christmas trees, gifts, joy and fun as well as plenty of food, then there is the blanket of snow, plus of course the curious local folklore. Icelanders have a traditional folklore that’s different to anywhere else and will make a real conversation point.

Iceland’s Christmas season begins on 11th December and continues until 6th January every year. As well as being Christmas time the 26-day period is also the darkest time of the year in Iceland. However, the lack of natural light is offset by all the beautiful Christmas lights that are everywhere, together with the light reflection from the soft blanket of snow generally on the ground at the time of year. During the long clear dark nights, the Northern Lights add beautifully to the atmosphere making  the perfect finishing ingredient for an ethereal beauty that is seen in only a few other locations on the planet.

What do Icelanders eat for Christmas?

Christmas begins at 6pm on Christmas Eve for Icelanders. Some families gathering at church and others waiting for their special meal when the bell rings. An Icelandic Christmas often includes traditional smoked lamb, peas, corn, cabbage, beans, gravy etc., as well as a thin-crusted and crispy decorated flatbread. There will also be a myriad of sweet treats gracing those Icelandic Christmas meal tables.

Gifts are generally opened on Christmas Eve around these meals and festivities. Some popular gifts in Iceland are books, warm clothing items and blankets. Gifts of warm clothing and blankets are not only useful but traditionally they also protect children from some of the antics of the Yule Cat found in Iceland’s Christmas folk traditions.  

A much more recent Christmas celebration is the ugly jumper party. At the party delicious Icelandic treats and non-alcoholic beverages are enjoyed by the community, of course, the judging for the ugliest jumper takes place and frequently there are prizes.

Beautiful, warm, woolly jumpers, such as those available from Icewear, are generally the dress code for other Christmas meals and celebrations. Icelanders have pride in the unique wool produced by Icelandic sheep. Icelandic wool is warm, offers natural thermoregulation and is also lightweight and water repellent, making it perfect for any winter or cold-weather activity.

How many Santa Clauses are there in Iceland?

One of the most curious folklore traditions in Iceland is that of the 13 Yule Lads and the Yule Cat. The 13 Yule Lads are the gift givers instead of “Santa”. Traditionally one of the lads visits the children each night for 13 nights. Children each place a shoe on the windowsill before they go to bed. The Yule Lad places a sweet treat into the shoe when the child has been well behaved. For those children who haven’t behaved well, a potato is placed into the shoe instead as a reminder to behave. The interesting folklore describes some of the interesting mischievous activities of these 13 Yule Lads and their Yule Cat, too and you can find statues of these fun around Iceland.

Christmas in Iceland, ensures the warmth of the season in Icelandic traditions together with warmth and protection in their woollen clothing and blankets.