Yule Lad no. 11: Gáttaþefur

Gáttaþefur has a particularly sensitive nose that can detect the whiff of laufabrauð from miles away

The Icelandic Yule Lads are the sons of the trolls Grýla and Leppalúði. They come down from the mountains, one each of the thirteen nights before Christmas bringing children small treats In the days of yore however, they were anything but nice. Instead of bringing treats, they came to scare peple and steal what was most precious to them, their food.

The 11th Yule Lad is Gáttaþefur. His enormous nose can detect the whiff of laufabrauð* from miles away. And where his nose leads, he follows. That nose has had it's share of unfortunate accidents through the ages.

*Laufabrauð is a thin, deep-fried pastry that's an essential part of the Christmas meal. It's decorated with a classic cut-out leaf pattern that gives it it's name.

The Icelandic Christmas Legends ornaments from Raven Design, featuring the Yule Lads, Grýla, Leppalúði and the Yule Cat are now available in my online shop. Shipping is available to Europe and N-America, if your country is not listed, but you would like to buy the ornaments send me a line at gardaflora@gardaflora.is.