The annual Christmas swim and Christmas meal prepared together

Family time in Hafnarfjörður

“My family and I start listening to Christmas music on Halloween, when we bake for our older daughter’s birthday,” says Vala Steinsdóttir, mother of two daughters and chairman of the Parents Council of Hafnarfjörður and chairman of the parents’ association at Setbergsskóli.

Vala has always lived in Hafnarfjörður, and her husband Þorsteinn Már Þorsteinsson has lived here from the age of six, apart from living abroad for almost fourteen years in England and then the Netherlands, where their daughters were born. On their return, the family rearranged their Christmas traditions.

“We love to spend Christmas Eve together, the family in the kitchen, where everyone has their special role. But first we go for a Christmas swim in Ásvallalaug,” she says. “We have so much fun preparing the meal together, listening to Christmas carols and singing along, having fun. This is our day together.”

She says that Advent provides an opportunity for great times in Hafnarfjörður. “I am so grateful for how much life and joy there is during Advent in Hafnarfjörður. It reminds us of our great community,” says Vala.

The pinnacle of togetherness during Advent

• Hellisgerði – “So stunningly beautiful and fun to stroll around with the family and have warm cocoa. It’s really fun to see what new additions are added to the garden each year.”
• The Christmas Village and Christmas concerts at Thorsplan – “We try to go to the great events that are organized in town. It’s great to see the lively town and meet with family and friends.”
• The Ice Skating Rink – “Let’s enjoy the Heart of Hafnarfjörður Ice Skating Rink, which always adds to the Christmas cheer. Then let’s go out to dinner together.”
• Let’s walk around town – “Let’s see the Christmas tree at Hamarinn, the Christmas windows at the old Lækjarskóli school and look at all the beautifully decorated houses around town.”
• The cemetery – “Let us remember and honour those who have said goodbye to us and this earthly existence.”

See the events for this weekend at the Christmas Village in English here.

Vala and Þorsteinn with their daughters Álfhildur Edda and Eygló and their dog Loki. They live in Svöluhraun and the younger daughter goes to Setbergsskóli while the older one is now in Kvennaskólinn in Reykjavík. Photos/Óli Már