Are the 13 Icelandic Yule Lads real Santa Clauses?

In Iceland, there is this old folk tale about the Icelandic Christmas Trolls or the Santa Clauses, called Yule Lads. The Icelandic Yule Lads are 13 sons, santa clauses, of a terrifying ogress named Grýla and Leppalúði, is their father. You can get Christmas ornaments with the 13 Icelandic Yule Lads here to decorate your home.

The story of the Yule lads’ in Iceland

The Yule Lads originated from Icelandic folklore and were portrayed as mischievous trolls that steal food and livestock and scare the children in Iceland. The Yulelads  are said to life in the mountains of Iceland. They are 13 and sons of a terrifying ogress named Grýla and their father is Leppalúði. Yule lads arrive one by one over the final 13 nights leading up to Christmas. They leave small gifts in shoes that children place on windowsills.

The early stories of the Icelandic Yule Lads, Grýla and Leppalúði used to scare children into behaving but today they enjoy bringing joy to the children instead of scaring them.

Where can you buy the Yule Lads figures from Iceland?

Icelandic Yule lad’s figurines are available in 9.5 cm / 3.74 inch, mini models and they make popular souvenirs. There are also a set of  Yule Lad-themed Christmas decorations and ornaments for you to decorate your Christmas tree or other things to hang them on.

What are the yule lads names and in what order do they come to town?

In mid of December at night time the Yule Lads starts to make their way down from the mountains one by one. The first Yule Lad comes on the night before the 12th of December.

The 13 Yule Lads in the order in which they appear in town to leave small gifts in the children’s shoes;

Stekkjastaur, Stiff legs or Sheep-Cote Clod, is the first Yule Lad to arrive and that is on the night of December 12th. He has long, stiff legs and likes to Harasses sheep.

Giljagaur, Gully Gawk, is the second Yule lad and is known to hide in gullies and waiting for an opportunity to sneak into the cowshed and steal milk. The Gully Gawk arrives on December 13th.

Stúfur, Stubby, is the third Yule lad to arrive and he is extremely short and steals pots and pans to eat the crust left on them. He is actually know to be very kind. Stubby arrives on December 14th.

Þvörusleikir, Spoon Licker, is the fourth one to arrive.  He is long and thin and loves to steals unwashed spoons, which he licks clean. The Spoon Licker arrives on December 15th.

Pottaskefill, Pot Scraper, arrives on the fifth day and he steals unwashed pots, and licks them clean. he Pot Scraper arrives on December 16th.

Askasleikir, Bowl Licker visits on the 6th day. He hides under beds waiting for someone to put down their "askur" and licks whatever is left in there. The Bowl Licker arrives on December 17th.

Hurðaskellir, Door Slammer, shows up in the 7th day. He likes to slam doors, during the night, waking people up. The Door Slammer arrives on December 18th.

Skyrgámur, Skyr Gobbler loves eating skyr, the Icelandic dairy product, and he sneaks into pantries and eats all the skyr he can find. The Skyr Gobbler arrives on December 19th.

Bjúgnakrækir, Sausage Swiper, is the 9th yule lad. He hides in the rafters to snatch sausages which are hung up for smoking. The Sausage Swiper arrives on December 20th.

Gluggagægir, Window Peeper, is the 10th to arrive. He is known to lie outside people’s house, peeking through windows in search of things to steal. The Window Peeper arrives on December 21st.

Gáttaþefur, Door Sniffer, is number 11 and comes on the night before the 22nd of December. He has a abnormally  large nose to sniff out where people are baking, then steals cakes and cookies. he Doorway Sniffer arrives on December 22nd.

Ketkrókur, Meat Hook, is the 12th to arrive. He steals the meat, Hangikjöt, using a long hook. eat Hook arrives on December 23rd.

Kertasníkir, Candle Beggar, is the last one and arrives the night before the 24th of December. He follows children in order to steals candles from them.

Grýla, the mother of the yule lads
As Christmas approaches, Grýla leaves her home and starts looking for boys and girls that dont behave. Grýla is a bad and grim ogre, and she eats badly behaved children, she comes to pick them up, puts them in her sack and then cooks them in her cauldron.

Leppalúði is a troll and he is Grýla´s third husband and according to folklore Grýla has been married three times. Leppalúði is the father of the 13 yule lads and is said to be a lazy husband.

Icelandic Christmas Cat
The Icelandic Christmas Yule Cat is owned by Grýla and Leppalúði. It is a black and vicious cat who is described as lurking about the snowy countryside during Christmas time and eats people who don't get any Christmas presents containing clothes.

WANT TO BUY THE SET OF ALL THE YULE LADS?

You can get Christmas figurines with the 13 Icelandic Yule Lads here to decorate your home.
Here is a set of all 16 yule figurines
Here is a set of all 13 yule ornaments

There are also a set of  Yule Lad-themed Christmas decorations and ornaments for you to decorate your Christmas tree or other things to hang them on.