We absolutely love this Icelandic tradition – Jólabókaflóðið, which translates roughly as ‘the Christmas book flood’.
“This tradition began during World War II once Iceland had gained its independence for Denmark in 1944. Paper was one of the few commodities not rationed during the war, so Icelanders shared their love of books even more as other types of gifts were short supply. This increase in giving books as presents reinforced Iceland’s culture as a nation of bookaholics – a study conducted by Bifröst University in 2013 found that half the country’s population read at least eight books a year.
During the festive season, gifts are opened on 24 December and, by tradition, everyone reads the books they have been given straight away, often while drinking hot chocolate or alcohol-free Christmas ale called jólabland.
How perfect is that?
Everyone should get a book at Christmas – and if you’re buying for children do ask a bookseller to help you find the perfect match (and avoid the celeb authors if you can!) buying books supports authors!
