I consulted Mr. Internet and found out that the Yule lads are mischievous little trolls who visit Icelanders' homes in the weeks before Christmas.
The Yule lads (
jólasveinarnir) are the children of a mountain troll named
Grýla.
Grýla and her husband keep a household pet called the
Yuletide cat. According to tradition this black feline will devour any child that doesn't receive a new article of clothing before Christmas
Dec. 12 Stiff Legs aka Sheepfold Stick (Stekkjastaur): this guys likes to suckle sheep's milk from farmer's ewes.
Dec. 13 Gully Oaf (Giljagaur): he sneaks into the cowshed and skims the froth from pails of milk.
Dec. 14 Shorty (Stúfur): he likes to eat the leftovers in unwashed pans, scraping them clean (alright with me!)
Dec. 15 Spoon-licker (Þvörusleikir): he's as skinny as the ladles he likes to lick.
Dec. 16 Pot-licker (Pottasleikir)
Dec. 17 Bowl-licker (Askasleikir): this rascal snatches unattended bowls and devours their contents.
clipped from: meeg-toomuchinformation.blogspot.com 
