Shops in Reykjavik extend their opening hours from today until December 23rd, most staying open until 10pm. Even without buying anything, it’s a lovely time of year to wander around downtown soaking up the festive atmosphere. But if you do plan on shopping, here are a few tips:
Pipar og Salt, on Klapparstígur in between the two main streets – Laugavegur and Skólavördustígur.
CHECK OUT THE SIDE STREETS AND MARKETS
Having walked the length of the main streets, step off into the side streets too! There are some great little shops and boutiques just a stone’s throw away. There are also Christmas markets, such as the big one at Ingólfstorg Square, open 2 to 8pm from today.
My favourite side-street shop is ‘Pepper and Salt’ (Pipar og Salt) – the only place I know of in Reykjavik that sells a variety of English Christmas fruit cakes and plum puddings, Scottish mince tarts and shortbreads, as well as countless cute Christmas decorations.
Christmas decorations at Pipar og Salt.
Christmas cakes and other fare at Pipar og Salt.
POP INTO A CAFE
Not just to take a break, but because many cafes downtown offer special Christmas brews as well as Christmas hampers if your loved ones happen to be coffee/chocolate/tea-lovers. Yesterday, the aroma of Christmas tea at Kaffitar (Bankastræti street) was enough to put anyone in a good mood. Once you’re all shopped out, another way to relax is with some good music. For example, tomorrow at 5pm and Saturday at 2 and 5pm, the Icelandic Symphony performs its Christmas concert at Harpa.
The Little Christmas Shop on Laugavegur.
DON’T BE AFRAID OF KITSCH
Now is not the time to balk at glitter! Step inside Reykjavik’s Little Christmas Shop (Litla Jólabúðin, Laugavegur) and see handmade Icelandic felt decorations, harp-playing fairies and a giant gingerbread man advent calendar. They also have several versions of the Yuletide Lads as figurines, on playing cards or even aprons.
Bowl Licker with his askur bowl, at the National Museum.
SPEAKING OF YULETIDE LADS…
There are three Yuletide Lads named after their propensity to lick. The first, Spoon Licker (Thvörusleikir), arrived overnight, while Pot Licker (Pottasleikir) will be here by tomorrow, and Bowl Licker (Askasleikir) by Saturday. In Icelandic, this last licker’s name refers to a specific sort of bowl called askur that was used in Icelandic households up until early last century. Each person had their own askur, a wooden bowl with a hinged lid, for which they were responsible and from which they ate all their meals.
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