Jólakötturinn

This morning, our elf joined Madison's Nativity set, dressing himself up as a shepherd.  And it looks like Snowflake the reindeer has dressed up as a sheep!  

We started the day a little later today, due to the fact that there is still snow and ice on the ground.  School started two hours later, which meant we could sleep in a bit.  Madison got to visit the Santa Shop today at school, doing a bit of Christmas shopping for Mommy and Daddy.  Her gifts are under the tree tonight, which is always a fun little moment Christmas morning.  What did she get for us this year?  We'll see soon enough!

The snow, as said earlier, is still on the ground.  Our snowmen are still standing tall, as are most of the snowmen in this neighborhood, including the ones that are out in the direct sunlight more of the time.  It's just been cold enough, although you can hear the dripping outside on the rooftops, as it is slowly receding somewhat.  We just got a lot of snow, that's all.

We had ballet tonight, but upon getting home, we were able to take some time and watch another Christmas movie, "Elf."  We don't have to get up early tomorrow either, as Madison is taking the day off to go visit the doctor's office for a scheduled check-up.  The weather is supposed to take a turn towards even colder this week, so we'd all better bundle up.

For one thing, Jólakötturinn is out there.  We're always on the lookout for weird holiday traditions, and just when I thought I'd heard it all, apparently Iceland has a Yule Cat.

It's not a good one.  Last year, we first read about Jólabókaflóð, which is a much more pleasant Icelandic tradition involving books at Christmas time.  Jólakötturinn, however, is not pleasant at all. Apparently, it's an oversized cat beast that eats people who don't get new warm clothing items for Christmas.  This is apparel enforcement creature is pretty strict about Christmas gifts:  you can get your friends and family anything you want, but be sure to get them new clothing to keep warm.  This includes scarves, jackets, hats, gloves, boots, and snowsuits.  Those who do not get such items for Christmas will be promptly eaten.

This system of devouring unprepared Icelanders is set up so that everyone remains social and together.  The unloved or the hermits are not going to get new clothing for Christmas, so obviously they're toast.  Those that remain uneaten are obviously the ones that are loved, as they've all gotten new jackets and warmer clothing.  That being said, Jólakötturinn is actually somewhat of a way to remind us all to love one another.  Unless there's someone you don't particularly like anymore, and want to see them get eaten.  Of course, I'm kidding.  Nobody wants to see anyone get eaten by Jólakötturinn. 

This is why if I were a politician in Iceland, I'd reach out to those desperate loners who rarely get Christmas clothing for Christmas.  We'd set up Jólakötturinn centers where those who don't get warmer clothing for Christmas can go.  Maybe we can make special Jólakötturinn scarves that folks can wear around, cutting down on our budget, and devoured people.  See how it all works?  In a weird way, Jólakötturinn is actually good for the community.  Jólakötturinn comes in, and people are forced to address a problem.  It's kind of like a Cat in the Hat.  Only, it eats people.

Anyway, once the Jólakötturinn realizes there is no one to eat in Iceland, perhaps it will go somewhere else.  It will go where people need to stop thinking only of themselves, and to learn to take care of one another, like New York City or Atlanta.

And so with that said, we close on another full day here, filled with Christmas fun and tradition.  Tomorrow promises to have lots of fun too, so we'll see you then!

That is, unless you haven't gotten any new warm clothing.  In which case... good luck.