While many of us envision Santa Claus as a "jolly old elf" with a long, white beard the children of Iceland get their holiday gifts from a much different character: "Jola Sveinar". Actually there is more than one "Jola Sveinar", but all of them appears as sprightly goblins or trolls with funny names like "Bowl Licker", "Door Smeller", or "Window Peeper". The Icelandic folk believe that one of these characters arrives each day for the thirteen days before Christmas- and each one bears a little gift for every child in the household. According to legend, these funny trolls are not very angelic--in fact, they've been known to steal food and candles, and to leave quite a mess in their wake. Many an Icelandic parent has used "Jola Sveinar's" reputation as child stealer to good effect in keeping their youngsters from mischief: it seems that these Christmas lads, as some folks call them, would come back after Christmas and kidnap only the naughty boys and girls. In his peaked cap, bright green knickers, handsome suspenders and striped socks, our "Jola Sveinar" makes a whimsical appearance. He's positively loaded down with gifts, and there are many more at his feet--ready to be loaded into his bright red bag. His jolly smile shows us he can't wait to deliver the presents to his young friends in Iceland!
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