Grýla, in Icelandic mythology, is a horrifying monster and a giantess living in the mountains of Iceland. Most of the stories told about Gryla were to frighten children. The Grýla legend has been frightening to the people of Iceland for centuries! People of Iceland successfully used her story to scare children to sleep. It was put into halt when a public decree was passed in 1746 prohibiting this practice to avoid traumatizing kids further. Grýla was not directly linked to Christmas until in the 17th century. By that time she had become the mother of the Yule Lads.