In Icelandic Christmas folklore, 13 Yule Lads traditionally visit homes before Christmas.
The Yule Lads, or jólasveinar, are mischievous figures connected with the Icelandic Christmas season. One arrives each night from 12 December through 24 December, making a total of 13. Children traditionally place a shoe in a window, and a well-behaved child may receive a small gift while a misbehaving child may find a potato.
Each Yule Lad has a distinctive name and behavior, including Door-Slammer, Spoon-Licker, and Sausage-Swiper. Earlier Icelandic stories portrayed them as more frightening, but modern celebrations generally present them as playful Christmas visitors.
The Yule Lads are associated with the giantess Grýla and the Yule Cat in Icelandic folklore. Their staggered arrival pattern distinguishes them from the single Santa Claus figure common in many countries.