Are you looking for a simple, cozy Christmas tradition to start with your family? This Icelandic Christmas Eve tradition is the perfect thing for anyone who loves to read or who prefers a calm night in over a busy gathering. Jolabokaflod is known to English speakers as the “Book Flood”, and it involves giving and receiving books to read on Christmas Eve.
At birthday parties, I was the kid known for gifting books to my friends.
I think some of my friends liked that about me, but others would rather get toys. I had this one friend who would always say, “Let me guess. Is it a book?”
She wasn’t much of a fan of reading.
For me, personally, I loved receiving books! I loved the excitement of opening up a new book and jumping into a new adventure that was chosen for me by a loved one. I was always eager to start my new books the moment I got them.
If you at all connect with this sentiment, then you will love the Christmas tradition that has been passed down for generations in Iceland. It’s called Jokabokaflod, which loosely translates to “Christmas Book Flood.” And let me tell you, it is a fantastic idea for anyone who values the gift of a good book.
Today, I want to tell you all about this Christmas tradition and how you can try it out in your own life.
But first, here are some other Christmas articles you might want to read after this one!
- 10 Unique Advent Ideas for a Fantastic Christmas Countdown
- An Easy Gift Guide for Aspiring Minimalists
- 20 of the Best Winter Beverages You’ll Absolutely Love
- Things To Do On Christmas Day Your Family Will Love!
- Decluttering After Christmas: 5 Easy Steps To Try Now
What is Jokabokaflod?
It’s actually a simple concept. First, everyone buys books for their friends and loved ones. Next, these books get gifted to everyone on Christmas Eve. Then, everyone opens their gifts to reveal their new books. Finally, everyone prepares a cozy drink (usually hot chocolate) and settles in for a quiet night of reading.
That’s it! Give books, get books, read books!
What could be better than that?
How did Christmas Book Flood start?
Jokabokaflod began in World War II. At Christmastime, supplies were scarce and most things were rationed. It didn’t leave a lot of options for gifts.
There was, however, one rare item that was not being rationed.
That special item was paper.
And you know what you can use paper for?
Books! Lots and lots of books!
So instead of scrambling to get their hands on items that cost a fortune or simply couldn’t be bought, people made the most of their Christmas by buying loved ones books.
Iceland has since then remained a place full of avid readers. A 2019 study shows that the average Icelander reads 2.3 books per month.
The love of reading never died, and neither did the Christmas tradition.
Every year around mid-November, a book bulletin is mailed to every household that advertises for all of the book releases you can consider gifting to others. Many people in Iceland will make their purchases for friends and family using this book bulletin. Every year, people all over Iceland enjoy this Christmas Eve tradition, and now that more people around the world know about it, so can you!
How can I adopt this Christmas tradition this year?
The teacher in me absolutely loves that this Christmas Eve tradition brings about such excitement for reading! I think it’s great that books are such a treasured item in Iceland. But on top of that, I love that the Christmas Book Flood gives you an excuse to slow down during such a busy season. I feel like the average household on Christmas Eve is bustling to get everything ready for the next day, but this idea encourages you to slow down during the holidays and enjoy the simple pleasures. Simply open a book and sit with a warm drink.
Nothing stressful about that!
Now, as wonderful as this Christmas tradition is, it can also be difficult to achieve if your other Christmas traditions don’t support a night off of planning and preparing for the holidays. If that’s the case, don’t worry! I’ve got some ideas on how you can integrate this Christmas Book Flood without having to drastically change all of your other Christmas plans. Take a look at some of the ideas and see if any work for you!
Option #1: The Traditional Approach
Your first option is to stick with the traditional idea. Make a plan with a group of friends or family to meet together on Christmas Eve. When you are all together, give each other your book gifts and then serve a hot beverage for everyone to enjoy while you read. Stay up for as long as you like and sleep in the next morning.
Option #2: Add a Holiday
For this option, you will still follow the traditional approach, but you simply schedule it for another day. Instead of doing this on Christmas Eve, maybe it can be your New Years tradition. Perhaps you just pick a random day during the holidays to gift books. This option is good for people who have a busy family Christmas but would still like to participate in Jolabokaflod.
Option #3: Give a Book Basket
I am always a fan of pairing a good book with an atmosphere conducive to reading. This idea takes Christmas book flood and adds just a little more. Instead of just giving a book, try pairing the gift with a few things that go with it. For example, give a book with a homemade dessert or chocolates, along with a new pair of cozy pajamas or reading socks.
When everyone opens their gifts, they can immediately enjoy them by changing into their new outfits and eating their yummy treats while reading their gifted books. To me, this sounds like the perfect way to spend the holidays! It will make your winter holiday feel so cozy!
Option #4: The Early Bird
If you’re not into staying up late to binge a new book, consider trying this Christmas tradition in the morning, instead. You can spend your day reading and watching the snow falling outside instead of struggling to stay awake to read your book at night. This is also a good option if you’ve got young children that you want to include in the Christmas Book Flood.
Option #5: Forget the Books
I am a huge advocate for reading, but if the main intent for this Christmas tradition is to spend some time slowing down and being with family, you don’t need to restrict yourself to buying books. There are other things that you can buy each other that can be immediately enjoyed together in a slow atmosphere:
- Gift multiplayer videogames and try them all out together
- Give each person a new board game and try them all out on the same day
- Gift everyone a new art supply, then pool all of your gifts and do arts and crafts all day
Conclusion
Don’t hesitate to get creative with your own ways to approach your Christmas traditions this year! People all around the world have unique ideas (Swedish Fika, for example) that we can get inspired by, and the Jokabokaflod is definitely one of them! If you love to read, then it’s the perfect thing for you, especially if you’re interested in simplifying gift-giving this year.
What Christmas tradition do you have that you love? Do you do anything special for Christmas Eve? Do you think you will incorporate a Christmas Book Flood into your winter holiday this year? Share your ideas in the comments below; I’d love to hear from you!
I love the idea of giving books for any holiday! But alas, I give book store gift cards as I am not one that is good in picking out the books for other peopel!
I’m in love with the idea. Thank you for sharing
I’m glad you liked it! Thanks for commenting 🙂
What a great tradition! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks, I’m glad you like it! Thanks for commenting 🙂
Haha well, as a bookworm myself, a book store gift card is always a welcome Christmas present! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
What a great tradition! My husband will be all about this one, he is all about reading books. Thanks for the idea!
I’m glad you liked it! Since this year we are more-or-less quarantining, it’s the perfect time to try a quiet tradition. Thanks for commenting! 🙂
I absolutely love this idea! I have always loved reading since I was a kid. As an adult, I feel like I don’t get nearly enough time for it. This would be a lovely new tradition in my home.
Yes, it can be so much harder to read when you get older. I went through a phase myself where I couldn’t read without falling asleep haha! I’m over it now, and I’m happy to say I get to read a lot more 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
As an author I couldn’t love this idea more! How fun to have such a tradition! I also love that it started around WW2 as that is the era I am currently writing about. Thanks for sharing this with us!
That is so cool, Amber! I am a huge supporter of reading, so this tradition is very dear to my heart. Good luck with writing your book! That sounds so exciting 🙂
Wow! I’ve always adored someone who loved to read and give books. Nowadays, people don’t want to read anymore. Have a Merry Christmas!
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I often feel the same way, so it’s a tradition I take extra care to preserve. Reading is such a valuable way to spend time, and I hope this never gets forgotten! Merry Christmas to you, too! 🙂
I’m the only avid reader in my home, so super excited about your additional ideas — especially board games! Or, maybe it can be a solo tradition for me, myself & I. 😉
Well, I can tell you from experience that the board game tradition is equally fun! My family would always give new board games on Christmas Day, and then the day after we would get together with some cousins and play all of our new board games together. It is a really special tradition that I think lots of people would love! As for you, a quiet night of reading can be just as enjoyable for one 😉 Have a lovely holiday!
Since this year I found myself reading 10+ books a month, I knew exactly what was going on my wishlist: more books. Haha! I read about this tradition a couple of months ago and immediately sent the article to my husband, saying “we need to do this!” I saw all his gifts wrapped for me under the tree today and they’re book-shaped. Here’s hoping, right? 😉
Wow, that’s a lot of books to read in a year! I think I’ve just found my New Year’s goal for this year 😉 I absolutely love to read, so this tradition seems like heaven! I hope you have a wonderful holiday and that those book-shaped gifts under the tree give you hours of adventures and fun! Merry Christmas! 🙂