The Origins of Christmas Legends and Traditions We Didn’t Know

The Yule Lads, offspring of Gryla and Leppalúði, bring a unique twist to Iceland’s holiday season. These 13 mischievous brothers visit towns one by one in the 13 days leading up to Christmas, each staying for two weeks. The first Lad arrives on December 12 and leaves on Christmas Day, with his brothers following suit until January 6.

Originally, these characters were more ominous, known for kidnapping and eating children who didn’t receive new clothes for Christmas, accompanied by the Yuletide Cat. Today, their antics are milder, involving pranks like slamming doors and depleting yogurt supplies, a far cry from their darker past.