Grýla the Christmas Witch: Iceland’s Creepiest Holiday Legend
When you think about Christmas, what comes to mind? Jolly old Saint Nick? Sugar cookies and caroling? Maybe a cozy fire while the snow gently falls outside? Well, in Iceland, the holiday season has a much darker vibe—and it’s awesome. Enter Gryla, the Yule Cat, and the Yule Lads: a trio of legendary figures that make the holiday season in Iceland a mix of spooky and festive.
Meet Gryla, the OG Christmas Witch
Gryla is the terrifying matriarch of Iceland’s holiday folklore. She’s part ogre and part witch with a penchant for eating misbehaving children. (My favorite kind of Christmas Creep!) According to legend, she lives in a cave in the mountains, emerging around Christmas to hunt for naughty kids to toss into her stew pot. No amount of “nice” behavior can save you if you’ve been bad—Gryla keeps a year-round naughty list, and she’s not shy about checking it.
But Gryla isn’t just some cranky witch. She’s also a proud mama. Her brood includes the Yule Lads, who we’ll get to in a second, and her pet, the Yule Cat. Oh, and she’s been married a few times, but apparently even mountain trolls can’t make relationships work when they’re all about kid-stealing.
The Yule Cat is called Jólakötturinn in Icelandic.
It is said to be as big as a house and peers into the windows of houses to check if you have your holiday clothes on.
The Yule Cat: Fashion Critic Extraordinaire
If you’ve been slacking on your chores, beware the Yule Cat. This feline is not your average cozy lap cat. It’s a monstrous creature, the size of a house, said to roam the countryside at Christmas, eating anyone who hasn’t received new clothes before the holiday. No new socks? Yule Cat snack.
The origin of the Yule Cat is rooted in practicality. It’s thought to have been used as a motivator for Icelandic farmers and their workers to finish processing wool before Christmas. If you worked hard, you’d get new clothes as a reward. If not, well… let’s just say the Yule Cat wasn’t going to let you off the hook.
The Yule Lads: Iceland’s Prankster Brothers
Think of the Yule Lads as a chaotic mix of Santa’s elves and Halloween trick-or-treaters. There are 13 of them, and they’re all about mischief. Starting on December 12, each Lad visits Icelandic homes one by one, staying for 13 days before heading back to the mountains. They’re not particularly helpful, but they’re hilarious in their own way.
Spoon Licker is one of Gryla’s 13 Yule Lads
He’ll pop in to lick your spoons, but may leave a small gift if you were decent this year.
Each Yule Lad has a unique personality and an equally ridiculous name, like Spoon-Licker, Door-Slammer, and Sausage-Swiper. Some cause harmless trouble, like slamming doors in the middle of the night, while others swipe food or poke around in your pantry. But here’s the silver lining: if kids leave their shoes by the window, the Yule Lads will leave small gifts for those who’ve been good—or a rotten potato for those who haven’t.
Why These Legends Are Still Loved
Iceland’s holiday folklore might seem dark, but it’s all in good fun (mostly). These stories are deeply rooted in Icelandic culture and tradition, offering a unique way to celebrate the season. Gryla, the Yule Cat, and the Yule Lads remind everyone to work hard, be kind, and maybe avoid slamming doors too much. Plus, who doesn’t love a good spooky story by the fire during the darkest months of the year?
So, if you’re looking to spice up your holiday season, why not add a little Gryla and Yule Cat flair? Just make sure you’ve got some new socks on hand—and maybe double-check that your kids have been nice this year.
Yule Cat Paper Doll
This is a digital download of The Yule Cat. It comes with a paper doll, accessories, instructions, and a supply list. Add a little spice to your holiday with this paper craft project!
