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Yule Lad no. 11 of 13

Doorway Sniffer - Yule Lad Ornament

Gáttaþefur, the eleventh Yule Lad (22 December) · hand-painted hanging ornament designed by Brian Pilkington · about 7.5 cm (3 in)

Sale price$27.90

For whoever does the Christmas baking. Hang him near the kitchen: he is bent forward in profile with his eyes shut and his long nose poking out past the edge of the ring, as if the smell has just reached him.

Following his nose

  • Shown side-on, bent forward, eyes closed
  • His long nose pokes out beyond the ring, over the start of his own name
  • One hand at his beard, the other gripping the top of the ring
  • Shaggy brown-red waistcoat, red-striped sleeves, grey breeches and tan leggings
Same-day dispatch* Weekday orders before 14:00 UTC leave Iceland the same day 4.9/5 from 2,200+ verified reviews Google 4.8 Trustpilot 4.7 Judge.me 4.9
  • Free shipping over $200 — US, Canada & Europe
  • US, Canada & EU — duties & taxes settled at checkout

Popular together

  • Nose first, eyes shut
  • Comes on 22 December, for the baking
  • Shown in profile, side-on to the ring
Doorway Sniffer - Yule Lad Ornament
Doorway Sniffer - Yule Lad Ornament Sale price$27.90

Why you'll love it

  • Two days before Christmas EveHe is the eleventh of thirteen and comes on 22 December, drawn from the mountains by the smell of the baking.
  • The nose is the characterThe National Museum says he is easily recognised by his huge nose, and Brian Pilkington made it the first thing you see.
  • For families with Icelandic rootsOne reviewer, whose mother's family came from Iceland, has always loved the Yule Lads and their antics each December.
  • A visit, remembered each yearAnother customer bought these ornaments to remember a trip to Iceland, and says they bring it back every Christmas.
  • No bill at the doorUS and Canadian duties and taxes are settled at checkout.

Popular together

Made to be used together. One click adds both to your cart.

  • Doorway Sniffer - Yule Lad Ornament Icelandic Yule Lad - Doorway Sniffer

    The standing Doorway Sniffer

    About 11.5 cm tall, leaning forward with his eyes closed and his nose in the air: the same lad, made to stand on a shelf next to the tree.

    Doorway Sniffer - Yule Lad Ornament Icelandic Yule Lad - Doorway Sniffer

    $68.80 for both
Family-owned since 2013Run by two brothers in Iceland
2,600+ verified reviewsRated 4.9 out of 5
Same-day dispatch*Weekday orders — see how it works
Authentic Icelandic goodsPacked and shipped from Iceland

Questions people ask before they buy

What is he sniffing for?
Christmas baking. The National Museum of Iceland says he loved the smell of cakes and laufabrauð, the Icelandic Christmas bread called lace bread or leaf bread in English, and always tried to steal one or two.
Is it Door Sniffer or Doorway Sniffer?
Both are used. The National Museum of Iceland's English pages have called him Door Sniffer; the booklet in his box says Doorway Sniffer. In Icelandic he is Gáttaþefur, the name on the ring.
What does he look like from behind?
Just as finished. Turn him round and you see his shaggy waistcoat, the red stripes on his sleeves and his heel resting on the ring.
How many ornaments are there in the series?
Fourteen: the thirteen Yule Lads and the Yule Cat, each sold on its own. One reviewer bought three, liked them enough to order the rest, and now hangs the whole family.

His brothers and the Yule Cat, as ornaments

See all
Christmas Cat - Yule Lad Ornament
Candle Beggar - Yule Lad Ornament
(5.0)
Sausage Thief - Yule Lad Ornament
(3.0)
Shorty - Yule Lad Ornament
Shorty - Yule Lad Ornament Sale price$27.90
(5.0)

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