Reykjavik on the second night of the Yule Lads

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Yule love Reykjavik. Iceland awaits the Yule Lads

If you’re spending the holidays here in Reykjavik, be sure keep an eye out for Sausage-Sweeper, Window-Peeper, and Door-Slammer. They’re three of the yule lads, a group of 13 mischievous pranksters who – according to local folklore – visit homes one by one to leave rewards or punishments for children on each of the 13 days leading up to Christmas. Tonight, the Gully Gawk is scheduled for a visitation, waiting for an opportunity to sneak into the cowshed and steal milk. Modern versions of the lads sometimes portray them in a benevolent light, even dressed like Santa Claus, but other stories are dark. The lads are said to be the son of Gryla, a mountain troll with an appetite for mischievous children. Let’s hope we’re on the nice list this year.