Skip to content
The Icelandic Association of Washington D.C.
Menu
  • About Us
    • Our Board
    • By-Laws
    • Contact Info
    • Past Presidents
  • Blog
  • Events
    • Thorrablot
    • Christmas
    • Meetings
    • Conventions
    • Webinar
    • Christmas Bazaar Vendor Registration
  • Membership
    • Membership signup and renewal instructions
    • Become a Member
    • Membership Organizations
      • Icelandic National League of North America
  • Login
    • Reset your password
    • Website Support
Menu

Watch out for the Christmas Cat

Posted on December 27, 2020December 27, 2020 by Ava Haraldsson

Hello Everyone! With the holidays here, I thought I’d focus this week’s entry on the Christmas decorations (as well as Christmas lore) that I got to see and learn about this year while in Reykjavík. Walking around the main squares of town, I saw Ingólfstorg and trees all wrapped in lights, as well as bell shaped decorations hung up on wires by the city. In addition, large Christmas trees strung with lights were stationed on street corners. Though, by far one of the largest and most interesting decorations lies on Lækjartorg: a large statue of the “Yule/Christmas Cat,”  Jólakötturinn in Icelandic, completely covered in lights.

While I had known peripherally about the legend of the Christmas Cat–something about it eating children who don’t get new clothes, I didn’t know the full story until this year. Apparently, Jólakötturinn is the cat of Grýla, one of the worst trolls, and also a cannibalistic child-eater. While the Christmas Cat just eats children who don’t get new clothes, Grýla eats children who haven’t been good. Stalking around with a sack of naughty children on her back, Grýla makes short work of her captives. The terror of every Icelandic child, Grýla is the worst of the worst (she makes Santa look wimpy for merely giving out coal).

So, this Christmas I (and hopefully you) strive to be good and get some new clothes to stave off both the Christmas Cat and Grýla. Merry Christmas everyone, and I hope you enjoy the photos of the decorations around Iceland!

Website Support

If you are having any problems with this website, including problems with logging in, or resetting your password, please contact info@icelanddc.com for immediate assistance.

Recent Posts

  • Join the fun at our 2025 Annual Meeting on Saturday, May 17 at 1pm April 15, 2025
  • Thorrablot 2025 is February 8th! January 6, 2025
  • Give Icelandic a Chance, our Scholarship program returns for 2025! January 5, 2025
  • Christmas Bazaar 2024 October 6, 2024
  • Logi Bergmann Joins IAWDC Board October 5, 2024
  • Jólabasar update: September 2, 2024
  • It’s the middle of summer, and we’re excited for Christmas! July 27, 2024
  • Come join us to celebrate Iceland’s National Holiday May 21, 2024
  • A new board for 2024-2025 May 13, 2024
  • Join the fun at our 2024 Annual Meeting on Saturday, May 11 at 2pm May 1, 2024

Major Sponsors

Icelandair
Blue Lagoon Iceland

Special thanks to …

Embassy of Iceland

Mission

Our mission is to promote and celebrate our Icelandic traditions and heritage. We do this mainly through our much anticipated annual events (June 17th Independence Day Picnic, Þorrablót, Jólabazaar, Children’s Christmas Party, and Annual Meeting) but are open to other ideas.

History

The Icelandic Association of Washington, DC held its first meeting on October 9,1969. We welcome all: native Icelanders, American/Icelanders, and those who just love all things Icelandic!

Facebook
Instagram
Spotify
© 2025 The Icelandic Association of Washington D.C. | Powered by Minimalist Blog WordPress Theme