Jolabokaflod: The Icelandic tradition of giving of a book on Christmas Eve

24/12/2022

Have you heard about Jólabókaflóð (or Jolabokaflod)?

Jolabokaflod or the 'Christmas Book Flood', is an Icelandic holiday tradition in which books are given as gifts on Christmas Eve and then enjoyed that evening, and the rest of the holiday season.

Thought to have started in the 1940s, when paperbacks, first became widely available in Iceland, people began giving books as affordable and personal gifts.

Today, Jolabokaflod has become an important part of Icelandic culture. Many families exchanging books on Christmas Eve a tradition. They then spend the evening reading together.

Recently, Jolabokaflod has also gained popularity outside of Iceland, with people around the world participating in Christmas Eve book giving as a way to celebrate the joy of reading and the holiday season.

2 Comments

Sue Duckles

25/12/2022 11:09:29 am

Tried to make that a new tradition with our Daughter in Law in Scotland. She's read 3 pages of last years book and we won't see her for a while as they are both too busy and 300 miles away! I'd love it to be a tradition in our house but I'm the only one that reads.... So I gift me instead!!

thelacebee

25/12/2022 08:34:55 pm

Sue, I like the idea of just buying your own book!

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