The 10th Yule Lad: Window Peeper, (Gluggagaegir) The Christmas Spy!

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. 👀

🧊 A Watcher in the Frost

Unlike his more gluttonous brothers, Gluggagægir isn’t interested in milk, meat, or skyr. His curiosity lies in what glimmers behind glass. He sneaks around the cottages and farmhouses of Iceland, his nose pressed to the window, gazing in at the warm glow of firelight and feasting.

Sometimes he spies shiny trinkets, food left out to cool, or toys meant for Christmas morning. But other times, he simply watches the families gathered inside, the laughter and stories drifting out into the night air.

In the old Icelandic poems, Gluggagægir is a figure of both mischief and warning, the lurking reminder that not everything seen through a window belongs to you.

📜 Origins in Icelandic Folklore

The Yule Lads first appeared in Icelandic tales as part of a much darker legend. They were the sons of the ogress Grýla and her lazy husband Leppalúði, who lived deep in the mountains. Grýla was said to devour naughty children, and her sons would roam down each winter to cause chaos in their own peculiar ways.

Over centuries, these frightening figures softened. By the 18th and 19th centuries, the Yule Lads began to resemble the playful tricksters we know today, a strange mix of mischief, humor, and holiday cheer.

Gluggagægir’s name translates directly to “window gazer”, and while his spying habits might seem suspicious, he’s often portrayed with a curious spirit rather than true malice. After all, who among us hasn’t been drawn to the glow of a warm home on a winter’s night?

🕯️ Traditions and Lessons

In Iceland, each Yule Lad arrives one by one during the thirteen nights before Christmas and departs in the same order after. Children place shoes in their windowsills, and the visiting Lad leaves behind small treats, or a rotten potato for those who’ve been naughty.

Gluggagægir’s night reminds us to value what we have inside our own homes, rather than covet what lies beyond. His curious eyes may glance through our windows, but perhaps he’s not there to steal — perhaps he’s a mirror, reflecting our own longing and gratitude.

His window peeping is not a sin, he is just enjoying the gala within.

🎄 The Christmas Spy in Modern Times

Today, Gluggagægir has become one of the most recognizable Yule Lads, often portrayed as the “Christmas spy”, a playful counterpart to Santa’s watchful eye. In Icelandic celebrations, children still delight in his story, sometimes catching him peeking in through frosty windows in holiday plays or decorations.

His tale carries a gentle moral: to find contentment within, not envy without.

So, when the night of December 20th arrives, close your curtains tight — or perhaps, leave them open just a little. You never know who might be watching, smiling, and learning the simple joy of the season.

✍️ Author’s Note

This story is part of The Saga of the Yule Lads: An American Adaptation. bringing Iceland’s rich Christmas folklore to life through a new lens of storytelling and faith, where ancient tradition meets timeless wonder.