The gift of giving in Iceland

By now you are most likely busy with preparing for the holidays. So are we! The house is decorated, outdoor Christmas lights are giving the little hamlets and farms a cozy shine during the long nights and inside we have baked, crafted and have been practicing Icelandic Christmas Carols full time!  Icelanders love to sing and in many towns and villages local choirs are giving Christmas Concerts – a wonderful way to find your way into the holiday spirit!

Some clothes such as hand made knitted mittens or hats are to be found underneath most Christmas trees.  An old legend says that those who do not receive anything to wear on Christmas Eve are in danger of being taken by the jólakötturinn Christmas Cat – a gruelsome huge and black monster cat. Now, why would you take any chances?

 ​We also love to read and around Christmas a lot of special publications are given out – memories, novels and poetry. The works by  Icelandic crimes writers Arnaldur Indriðason and Yrsa Sigurðardóttir have been translated into many foreign languages and so are many of the books by Halldór Laxness, the Icelandic Nobel Price Winner for Literature. The ancient Iceland Sagas are also a great read for the long winter nights.  ​And as a nation of horse lovers, most Icelanders will have some „horsey gifts“ as well: A new pair of braided reins, some gloves or a new riding overall which comes handy in the cold season.

After Christmas the days are getting longer, in tiny steps to start with, but never the less! With the rising sun we also start thinking of the upcoming season of horse riding tours. We start searching for new routes, make plans with friends and discuss where and when to go. 2018 being a Landsmót Year will make it a thrilling opportunity to go riding all the way to Landsmót which is held in Reykjavík in beginning of July. What a great way to combine these breathtaking competitions with a riding tour! If you would like to join us – or give your loved ones the perfect Christmas gift!- have a look at our riding tours program for next year!

The Exploring Iceland Team is sending you all of our warmest Christmas Wishes and all the best for the New Year! May you be able to spend the holidays with your loved ones – with two and four feet! 

​As usual around this time we will be supporting an Animal Welfare Organisation and have chosen this year the Donkey Sanctuary for their great world wide efforts to improve the life of working donkeys abroad. https://www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk/work-worldwide

Text:  Meike Witt