The Good Life – November-December 2023

THE MOTHER OF ALL EVIL
Could something be worse than Krampus during
Christmas? Well, this mother figure in folklore is
just as evil, if not worse.
For centuries, Icelandic parents took the whole
“naughty or nice” threat to a much darker degree.
Enter Grýla. She’s large (a giant, in fact), and she’s
in charge of her 13 boys, the Yule Lads who love
to steal from people, commit mischievous crimes,
and lick dirty bowls (hey, it’s part of the lore).
Beyond birthing degenerate sons, the worst part
about Grýla is that she eats naughty children for
supper.
While this doesn’t sound any worse than Hansel
and Gretel’s plight, look up pictures of what Grýla
is said to look like and you’ll see how this is much
scarier for children of all ages.
The tale of Grýla was so terrifying that in 1746,
Icelanders were actually banned from telling
their children the horrific tales of these particular
monsters.
Now the tales of the Yule Lads and their mother
are much tamer. Instead of having one Santa
Claus, Icelandic children get 13 because the Yule
Lads give good kids candy and the naughty kids
rotten potatoes in their shoes.
WHAT ABOUT YOU?
When I asked people what their bizarre family
Christmas traditions are, instead of all things
strange and creepy, I received very sweet,
endearing responses.
Whether it’s being gifted Christmas bears in lieu
of stockings, playing Christmas bingo, receiving
new stockings inside of stockings, wearing antlers
when it’s your turn to open presents, making
homemade pizzas on Christmas Day, or dancing
around the Christmas tree belting a Dutch song,
every family can create their own holiday magic
with the traditions they have created themselves.
May your Christmas season be merry and bright,
peaceful, joyful, and love-filled, and may your
children stay away from Santa’s cronies. •
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