Icelandic Christmas Traditions
This holiday season, why not embrace a few Icelandic Christmas traditions too?
Advent lights – starting four Sundays before Christmas, Icelanders light the Advent lights, either a wreath or a candelabra.
Gifts from the Yule Lads – for the 13 days before Christmas, the Icelandic Yule Lads, who live in the mountains, creep into town and leave a small gift in the shoes of children left near an open window. Instead of coal, the “naughty” children get potatoes.
Jolabokaflod – translated as “Christmas Book Flood,” this tradition started during World War II, when Icelanders give gifts of books and curl up on Christmas Eve with a book and some hot chocolate to read.
Make Laufabrauð – at Christmas, Icelanders make Laufabrauð, which is a thin deep-fried wheat bread decorated with leaflike patterns, and get together to cut the bread in unique designs. The bread is served during Christmas dinner or eaten as a snack.
Drink Malt og Appelsín – Iceland’s traditional Christmas drink is a mix of locally produced malt beer and Appelsín (orange soda.)
New Year’s Eve bonfires – Icelanders ring in the new year with bonfires and they gather together with family and friends at the “brennur”, while kids play with sparklers and celebrate the new year.
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Icelandic Gifts
There are many authentic Icelandic gifts that you can purchase from the comfort of your home if you don't have a visit planned. I have brought many of these home from Iceland myself!
Saltverk Gift Box
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On my trip to the West Fjords, we stopped at this sea salt factory to see the harvesting in action. Saltverk offers many different flavors from classic flaky sea salt to volcanic salt, Arctic Thyme sea salt, Birch smoked salt, seaweed salt, and licorice salt. I’ve even shipped these to fellow Iceland lovers as gifts.
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Silica and Mineral Mask Duo
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skincare.bluelagoon.com
While the Blue Lagoon may be a bit overpriced, its beauty products are unique and a great way to bring a little bit of Iceland home. The Masks are a classic gift, especially the Silica Mud, Lava Scrub, Algae, and Mineral Masks.
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skyn ICELAND Arctic Repair Cream for Face & Body
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If the Blue Lagoon products are out of your price range, skyn Iceland also has a great line of skincare products. This Artic Repair Cream is the perfect hydration for cold winters.
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Tulipop Miss Maddy Deluxe 10" Plush
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Kids, tweens, and teens will all love the sensation that is the Icelandic brand of Tulipop. There are books, stuffed animals, clothing, and gift items. Pick your favorite character and start shopping!
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ICEWEAR Brynja Icelandic Wool Sweater
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Keep your loved one warm this winter with an authentic Icelandic wool sweater, aka a lopapeysa. These hand-knitted sweaters are the classic Icelandic gift. The traditional design uses a semi-circle across the shoulders and they come in all colors and patterns. ICEWEAR is one of the more popular brands offering traditional lopapeysa.
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Aurora cardigan wrap, Icelandic wool, Gjoska design
One of my favorite souvenirs from Iceland is the sweater that I bought from Gjóska in Reykjavik. These artistic designs are inspired by Iceland’s natural landscapes — the Northern Lights, the lava, the moss, and the glaciers.
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Winter Gear from 66° North
If you need any cold-weather gear, 66° North is the place to shop for coats, jackets, hats, gloves, and fleece. Every winter I depend on a hat and gloves that I bought on my first trip to Iceland.
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Lettlopi - Lopi Lite - 100% icelandic wool
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When you travel around Icelandic and see all the sheep, it will be no surprise to learn that Icelandic wool and woolen products are a big export. If you knit yourself, you can buy Icelandic wool at many gift shops, but you may want to stop into The Handknitting Association of Iceland for sweaters, wool, blankets, and knitting patterns. Of course, if you aren't in Iceland you can always find it online too!
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Reyka Vodka
You may also want to pick up some Icelandic alcohol from your local store or order it as a gift. Reyka vodka is popular with locals, along with Wild Gin, which uses natural botanicals, blended with pure spring water to make an unfiltered gin bursting with flavor.
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Einstok Arctic Pale Ale
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nammi.is
If you prefer beer over spirits, I’m a fan of Einstök and Gull. You can even buy an Icelandic Christmas beer!
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Viking Jewelry
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nammi.is
Iceland's Viking heritage is strong so what better gift than a Viking-style ring, bracelet or necklace with ancient runes.
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Frigg Lava Bracelet Handmade in Iceland
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While large swaths of Iceland are covered with lava fields, you really should disturb nature. If you want to take a bit of lava home, better to do it with one of these special lava bracelets.
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Hallo Sapa (Hello Soap) Icelandic MOSS and Icelandic KELP
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Enjoy the scents of Icelandic nature at home with these soaps from Hallo Sapa.
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Icelandic Soy Wax Candle With Lava Stones and Rowan
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Etsy.com
These handmade candles are soy based for a clean burn and have a lovely apple and cinnamon scent. Plus they look pretty with lava stones and Rowan berries.
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Iceland Personalised Custom Watercolour Travel Country Map
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www.etsy.com
If you know someone that can't stop raving about their trip to Iceland, get them a custom Iceland travel map with optional travel dates, a photo collage, and visited locations connected by a path in the order you visited them. This would also make a great way to surprise someone with an upcoming trip!
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Trip to Iceland!!
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hiddeniceland.is
Of course, the best gift of all would be a trip to Iceland. My Iceland travel partner Hidden Iceland offers 10% off all their scheduled group tours for my readers when they book using promo code WE3TRAVEL. They can also help you plan a custom trip, just tell them that I sent you!
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Icelandic Books
Skólavörðustígur Street in Reykjavik
Iceland has one of the highest literacy rates in the world at 99 percent, and more books are published and read per person than anywhere else in the world. This long history of literacy comes from the long, dark winter nights where the isolation of the people led to a strong tradition of storytelling, including the old sagas of heroes and Vikings, local mythology, and tales of monsters and trolls.
In the weeks leading up to Christmas, hundreds of new books are released and Icelanders participate in what is known as the Christmas Book Flood. On Christmas Eve, everyone must receive at least one book to take to bed with some chocolates.
Icelandic Books
Bring this tradition home with one of these Icelandic books.
Icelandic Folk Legends: Tales of apparitions, outlaws and things unseen
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15 Icelandic legends to teach you more about the Icelandic culture
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The Guardians of Iceland and other Icelandic Folk Tales
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25 short stories from Icelandic legends and tales of the Vikings.
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Jar City: An Inspector Erlendur Novel
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Amazon.com
The first of 14 crime novels featuring Detective Erlendur in Reykjavik
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Moonstone: The Boy Who Never Was: A Novel
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Amazon.com
The story of a young gay prostitute living in Reykjavik in the early 20th century.
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Butterflies in November
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Amazon.com
This black comedy deals with friends, lovers, motherhood, and self-discovery and won the Tómas Guðmundsson Literary Award in Iceland.
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