A slamming door is Hurðaskellir’s idea of Christmas fun—especially when everyone else is trying to sleep. Known as Door Slammer, the seventh Yule Lad arrives during the night of December 17th, ready for the morning of December 18th. His name gives you fair warning of the visit ahead.
No Rest for the Sleeping Household
Hurðaskellir loves to stomp about and slam doors as hard as he can. Waking people is the whole point. In the poem below, even a twilight nap gives him a chance to make trouble, with banging doors and squeaking hinges to spoil the peace.
The Wind—or a Christmas Troublemaker?
When a door bangs on a stormy December night, you could blame the wind. In the playful spirit of the Yule Lad stories, though, Hurðaskellir makes a much more mischievous suspect. All that noise is just his way of enjoying himself.
On December 31st, Hurðaskellir heads home, leaving the doors in peace until next Christmas. After his visit, a quiet night sounds like a gift of its own.
Door Slammer in Verse
Another Verse for the Noisiest Brother
Out of sight sat Door Slammer
always bent on teasing people.
Late at night this Lad took pleasure
in noisily disturbing people’s sleep.
He slammed the doors hard enough
to frighten the dogs who fled upstairs.
The Gift of a Quiet Night
Hurðaskellir brings a different kind of mischief to the Yule Lad family. A door, a squeaking hinge, and somebody trying to sleep are all he needs. It is a small disturbance that feels much bigger in the middle of the night.
Meet the previous visitor, Askasleikir, the Bowl Licker, then continue to Skyrgámur. You can also meet their mother, Grýla, or explore all the Yule Lad stories.
