Christmas cat in Iceland?

In Iceland, there’s a scary legend to get children to behave. The custom there is that little ones have to finish their chores, such as tidying up or doing homework, before the holiday. If they do, they get a present of some kind of clothing. Those who don’t get a dress are out of luck, because the Christmas cat, Jólakötturin, comes and eats – first the naughty child’s dinner, and then the child. The horror story is not only a good way to get children excited, it also encourages them to donate their unwanted clothes to those in need this holiday season.