The Belsnickel Blog

When we speak of Norse mythology today, Odin wandering in disguise, Thor’s hammer striking sparks across the heavens, Loki weaving mischief, or the apocalyptic shadows of Ragnarök, we are, in large part, speaking through the voice of one man. Snorri Sturluson (1179–1241) Chieftain. Poet. Historian. Diplomat. Storyteller. A medieval Icelander whose pen preserved the heart of a civilization.

Whether you are a mythology enthusiast or looking for heartwarming holiday reads, this guide highlights some of the best books that blend Norse mythology with Christmas spirit.

There’s something about winter that feels ancient, as if the cold wind still carries stories from the first dawn of time. When I began writing The Saga of Belsnickel: Ulvie and the Frost Giants, I wanted to capture that feeling, the hush before a storm, the glitter of snow beneath a pale moon, and the quiet courage it takes to face the darkness.

Deep in the icy wastes of Iceland’s highlands, beyond the reach of men and the warmth of hearth light, live two of the most infamous figures in Christmas folklore, Grýla and her lazy husband Leppalúði. They are the parents of the mischievous thirteen Yule Lads, but their story stretches far beyond the antics of their troublesome children. Grýla and Leppalúði embody the ancient fears, moral lessons, and enduring transformations of the winter season, from terror to tenderness.

As the long Icelandic winter deepens and the Yule season reaches its peak, the final of the thirteen Yule Lads descends from the mountains. On December 23rd, just one day before Christmas Eve, Kertasníkir — known in English as The Candle Swiper — makes his appearance. His arrival marks both the end of mischief and the dawn of Christmas light.

As Christmas draws near, a shadow slinks down from the snowy mountains, not to sniff or peek, but to hook.On December 22nd, the twelfth of the thirteen Yule Lads arrives: Ketkrókur, known in English as the Meat-Hook. With his long, iron hook and a nose for savory scents, Ketkrókur sneaks around farms and cottages, seeking one thing above all, smoked meat hanging from the rafters. While his methods may seem sinister, his story is one of survival, the warmth of Christmas kitc

As the snow deepens and the candles glow brighter, a curious figure makes his way through Iceland’s wintry hills. On December 21st, the first day of Yule, the eleventh Yule Lad, Gáttaþefur, or “Doorway Sniffer”, descends from the mountains. With his enormous nose and an uncanny sense of smell, he follows the scent of freshly baked laufabrauð (Icelandic leaf bread) and other Christmas treats wafting from cozy cottages.

As the twelfth month deepens and frost paints lace upon every pane, another of Iceland’s mischievous Christmas visitors makes his way down from the mountains. On December 20th, the tenth Yule Lad, Gluggagægir (“Window Peeper”) peers out from the shadows of Yule night.

The name Bjúgnakrækir translates directly to “Sausage Swiper” or “Sausage Snatcher,” and his reputation fits the name perfectly. In Icelandic folklore, he is one of the 13 mischievous sons of the mountain trolls Grýla and Leppalúði, and the ninth to make his appearance during the Christmas season. Unlike some of his brothers who target dairy or baked goods, Bjúgnakrækir is drawn to meat, especially sausages.

By the time December 18th arrives, Iceland’s Yule season is well underway. The candlelight glows warmly through frosted windows, and the laughter of children echoes with the tales of mountain mischief. On this night, a particularly greedy guest makes his descent from the snowy highlands, Skyrgámur, the Skyr-Gobbler, eighth of the thirteen Yule Lads.

As you settle in on a quiet December night and hear a door creak or bang, don’t be startled. It may not be the wind, it might just be Hurðaskellir, making sure you’re awake to enjoy the season’s cheer. Because even in a world of still snow and silent stars, a little noise can remind us that life, laughter, and joy still echo through the longest nights of winter.

Askasleikir teaches us that even the smallest acts, or the tiniest scraps, can hold joy and meaning. His tale reminds us to value simplicity, humility, and laughter, even in the darkest days of winter. So, if you hear a creak beneath your bed this Yule season… perhaps don’t be afraid. It might just be Askasleikir, looking for a bowl to lick clean, and a smile to leave behind.

Among the whimsical and mischievous figures of Icelandic Christmas lore stands Pottaskefill, sometimes known in English as the Pot-Scraper or Pot-Licker. He is the fifth of the thirteen Yule Lads (Icelandic: Jólasveinar) and traditionally makes his visit on the night before

As the chill of December deepens and frost gathers on windowsills, a small and peculiar figure begins his journey from the mountains of Iceland. On December 14th, Stúfur, affectionately known as Stubby, makes his appearance, the third of the thirteen Yule Lads, Iceland’s mischievous bringers of both gifts and giggles.

Despite their different callings, dwarves and gnomes share a curious kinship. Gnomes admire the steadfastness of dwarves, their skill in craft, and their readiness to defend what they love. Dwarves, for their part, respect the gnomes’ deep knowledge of the living world and the subtle arts by which they coax life from soil and seed. There is no rivalry between them, for their strengths lie in such different realms that they have no cause for envy.

In the old songs of the North, there are whispers of beings older than mountains, colder than the winter sun, and more relentless than the tides, the frost giants. In Norse mythology, they were called hrímþursar, children of ice and shadow, dwelling in Jötunheim beyond the borders of the known world. They were not merely creatures of great size and strength, but living embodiments of chaos, testing the resolve of gods and men alike.

For those who know the old myths, the Embered Tree bears a striking resemblance to Yggdrasill, the great ash of Norse legend, whose roots stretch into the realms of gods, men, and the dead. In Norse mythology, Yggdrasill is the axis of the cosmos, binding together the Nine Worlds. It is the tree that witnesses the deeds of gods and mortals alike, enduring through ages of war and winter.