Yummy Iceland: Gleðilegt nýtt ár 2025!

Happy New Year 2025!

Dear ones, we hope you all had a nice New Year and had a good start to the New Year.

Takk fyrir árið sem er að líða.

In Iceland it is customary to always give thanks for what has been. When you meet someone you know, you always thank them for the last meeting - and when you wish them a happy new year, you always thank them for the year that has just passed.

So with that in mind: Thank you for the year that has now passed, thank you for 2024.

Even if it was an eventful year overall, on a large and small scale, and even if - especially on a large scale - a lot of things didn't go as I would have liked - there is still potential. Maybe something will happen in 2025!

Our year 2024 ended where we began it together - in our house in Iceland. As in previous years, we were back in Selfoss for the New Year's Eve bonfire and fireworks, had a cozy meal at home, watched the annual comedy show on TV and then there was a bit of fireworks all around - and the beautiful northern lights. For me personally, I can be very satisfied with it. And that is a great blessing!

Áramótabrenna við Selfossi

On New Year's Eve we were in Selfoss in the afternoon, which is organized here every year by the community's rescue teams . At 5 p.m. the big New Year's Eve bonfire (áramótabrenna) started on the lawn behind the campsite reception, next to the sports field.

We were there shortly after 5 o'clock. When we went there the fire was already burning.

I always find it fascinating what shapes fire sometimes takes in pictures.

At around 5:15 p.m. the big fireworks display began, which the rescue teams set off on the large hill behind the sports field - located so that you can clearly see it from everywhere. And with enough safety distance and emergency services on site, of course.

So I clearly see a big Christmas goat in the fireworks that is having fun...

After the fireworks we drove back home - and first climbed into our hot pot to thaw out. At only 14 °F (-10 °C) it was rather chilly...!

Afterwards we had a leisurely meal, homemade hamburgers and fries. Always a very sociable meal with us.

After dinner we watched the annual review on Icelandic television and then at 10:30 p.m. the Áramótaskaup came on. This is THE annual comedy show on New Year's Eve, which has been around since 1948, initially on the radio and since 1966 on television. The show consists of comedy sketches and songs with which the show's creators reflect on the political and social events of the year on Iceland. The Áramótaskaup is an important part of New Year's Eve celebrations for most Icelanders. The number of viewers is traditionally the highest on Icelandic television. Around 20 years ago the show had an audience rating of over 95%, but the rating has now fallen but is still around 75%. The advertising surrounding the Áramótaskaup is the most expensive of the year; you pay around 2,500 euros for 30 seconds of advertising time.

During the broadcast, the streets are often still empty, people are sitting at home with family and friends and watching television. And when the Áramótaskaup ends at 11.30 p.m., you go out and set off the fireworks that you previously bought from the rescue teams.

However, we didn't buy any fireworks this year. And here in the country there wasn't that much going on with the neighbors either. But we had beautiful northern lights - and were able to enjoy lots of northern lights and a bit of fireworks at the same time from the warm room window.