Stúfur

On 14 December, the Yule Lad who visits households and communities is called Stúfur, or “Stubby”, “Shorty” or “Stumpy” in English. Each Yule Lad has his own unique characteristics and behavior: Stúfur is no different. Here’s what you need to know about him.

Stúfur is often depicted as the shortest Yule Lad. His diminutive stature is reflected in his name: “Stubby”. He is portrayed typically wearing ragged, old clothing and a tattered hat, giving him a disheveled appearance.

Stúfur is renowned for his love of food, particularly the porridge-like dish called “skyr” in Icelandic. However, his voracious appetite is a cause of mischief. Stúfur is notorious for sneaking into kitchens and stealing food, especially skyr, but he has a particular quirk – he is so short that he has trouble reaching pots and pans on high shelves. He uses a long spoon to overcome this challenge, but he often spills more than he manages to eat. So, households might discover their kitchens in disarray, with spilled food and empty containers when Stúfur pays them a visit.