How the Icelandic Celebrate Christmas

Nordic countries for centuries have celebrated the winter advent called the Yule. It was celebrated in Iceland far before Christianity became widely accepted throughout the world, and now ties into the Christmas festivities. In Icelandic, this time of year is called the "Jól". Its meaning has shifted from the celebration of the midnight sun to the birth of baby Jesus. Regardless, there is a party!

Families in Iceland get together this time of year and as in Western cultures, decorate the Christmas tree and put lights up all around the house. On December 23^rd, the Icelandic native Saint of Thorlakur Thorhallsson, Bishop of Skaholt is celebrated. Families make the traditional skate or skata meal (Christmas Fish). The Christmas/Yule tree is decorated and people across Iceland scatter to the mall to purchase last minute presents.

Christmas Eve in Iceland is called "Aðfangadagur" when everyone waits till midnight to open their Yule gifts. The family eats dinner together,-- the traditional smoked mutton "Hangikjot" and once the presents are open, the celebration really commences. Other foods eaten include Rjúpa or rock ptarmigan and the Icelandic porridge "grautur". Leaf bread is also eaten during the Yule called "Laufabrauð".

The whole family including the extended parts, get together on Yule Day (December 25^th) since Yule Eve is more reserved for the immediate, nuclear family. In Iceland, Yule Day is called "Jóladagur" where everyone goes to their grandparent's house or parent's house to celebrate with treats such as iced cakes and cookies. Children on this day show off their presents at the get together and play with their new trinkets.

The Yule celebrations roll into New Year's Eve and New Year's Day called Gamlárskvöld/Nýársdagur, respectively. Crazy things are said to happen on the 8^th night of Yule, or New Year's Eve. Cows supposedly learn how to speak human, the dead come out of their graves, and seals become humans.

Bonfires are very traditional in the Icelandic celebration of the New Year. They create them to metaphorically "blow out the year" and exploding the sky with multicolored fireworks to get rid of the old year. Families spend the beginning of the night together, but towards the end before midnight, the discotheques open up and the youth go out to celebrate.

Christmas in Iceland actually ends on January 6^th, which in many other cultures is the day of the Three Kings. This day is also celebrated with bonfires. This twelfth night of Yule Tide is called "Þrettándinn" and marks the end of Christmas-related celebrations.