Together in the real world at Christmas
Christmas is a time for togetherness, says Kristín Ólöf Grétarsdóttir, who sits on the parent council for the City of Hafnarfjörður and urges parents to spend time with their children in the real world.
The family spends time together
„It's important to remember to slow down, relax, and that Christmas is a time for togetherness. We need to make sure we don't let this time become the very opposite,“ says Kristín Ólöf Grétarsdóttir, who sits on the parent council for the City of Hafnarfjörður.
This spring, the Council received awards for its „Let's Look Each Other in the Eye„ campaign. It encourages children, young people and adults to be more present in the real world. “As Gói the actor says at the beginning of the “Let's Look Each Other in the Eye' video made by the parents' council: 'Let's put our phones down and do something fun together.' I'm going to take his advice," says a cheerful Kristín Ólöf, who has already laid the groundwork for the Christmas month.
„Our family plays a lot of games together at Christmas. Then we honour the traditions. Grandma and Grandpa used to have a Christmas craft session. They carved wooden blocks and we made Christmas wreaths and painted Father Christmases. She would have bread rolls and hot chocolate. Then we would recite Santa Claus rhymes,“ says Kristín.
„I've taken up this baton and am keeping the traditions going. And yes, it's hot chocolate, not cocoa,“ says Kristín, laughing. Her grandmother was a big fan of it. „These moments are so precious.“
Kristín and her husband Arnar Freyr Theodórsson have two boys. „We take an annual family stroll to the Christmas Village and Hellisgerði. It's part of bringing in the Christmas season.“ She says that the boys then have their almond porridge on Christmas Eve.
Kristín Ólöf and Arnar Freyr with their sons Nökkr Freyr and Breki Steini. With them is the dog Zorro. „Yes, it's an unbreakable tradition. A neighbouring family comes over and we give a nut gift. We've been doing this for years,“ she says.
„We've also made it a firm tradition to see Jóla Hólm at the Bæjarbíó. The aim is to be together, because it's so important to be more present in the real world.“
Hafnarfjörður's Christmas Magazine 2025 – online edition: