From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A
Christmas tree
outside
Reykjavik Cathedral
Christmas in Iceland
(
Jol
) starts four weeks before proper
Christmas
, which begins on 24 December (
Aðfangadagur
) and ends thirteen days later on 6 January (
Þrettandinn
, coinciding with
Epiphany
).
Traditionally, one
candle
is lit each Sunday, until four candles are lit on the 24th. At 6:00 p.m.
church bells
ring to start the Christmas celebration. The religiously observant and/or traditional Icelanders will attend
mass
at this time, while the
secular Icelanders
will begin their
holiday meal
immediately. After the meal is finished, they open gifts and spend the evening together. In Iceland people over the
Yule holidays most often eat
smoked lamb,
ptarmigan
, and turkey. Pork is also very popular.
[1]
Thirteen days before 24 December, children will leave their shoes by a window so that the 13 Yule Lads (
jolasveinarnir
) can leave small gifts in their shoes. The Yule Lads are the sons of two
trolls
, Gryla and Leppaluði, living in the Icelandic mountains. Each of the Yule Lads is known for a different kind of mischief (for example slamming doors, stealing meat, stealing milk or eating the candles). Yule Lads traditionally wear early
Icelandic wool clothing
but are now known for the more recognizable
red and white suit
.
[2]
[3]
[4]
[5]
Each home typically sets up a
Christmas tree
indoors in the living room, with most decorating it on 11 December. In addition to the decorations, presents are put underneath the tree. It is also a tradition in many homes to boil fish (
skate
) on the 23rd. The day is known as
Saint Thorlak
mass (
Þorlaksmessa
).
[6]
During the holiday season, it is traditional for families to work together to bake small
cookies
to serve or give to guests. Most common are thin
gingerbread cookies
which are decorated in many different colors of
glaze
. Many families also follow the tradition of making
laufabrauð
, a flat thin bread that is cut out using a special tool and folding technique.
[7]
The end of year is divided between two days: the Old Year's Day (
Gamlarsdagur
) and the New Year's Day (
Nyarsdagur
). At the night of the former and morning of the latter, Icelanders shoot up
fireworks
, blowing the old year away and welcoming the new one.
[8]
Thirteen days after the 24th, Icelanders say goodbye to the Yule Lads and other mystical creatures, such as
elves
and trolls. There are
bonfires
held throughout the country while the elves, Yule Lads, and Icelanders dance together before saying goodbye until the next Christmas. This celebration is known elsewhere as
Epiphany Day
.
[
citation needed
]
See also
[
edit
]
References
[
edit
]
Further reading
[
edit
]
- Rognvaldottir, Nanna.
Countdown to Christmas: Festive Icelandic recipes and lore
. 2022. Forlaid. ISBN 978997910549
External links
[
edit
]
Christmas in Europe
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