In many ways, books are the quintessential Christmas gift. They offer infinite variety, they are easily wrapped, and can be tailored to the recipients.
In Iceland holiday book buying is very popular. It is called the jolabokaflod, or “Christmas book flood.”
Jolabokaflod started during World War II, when paper was one of the few things not rationed in Iceland. Because of this, Icelanders gave books as gifts while other commodities were in short supply, turning them into a country of bookaholics to this day. Ever since 1944, the Icelandic book trade has sent out a book bulletin to each household in the middle of November when the Reykjavik Book Fair happens. People use this catalogue to order books to give to their friends and family on Christmas Eve, the main gift-giving day in Iceland. After all the presents are open, everyone grabs a cup of hot chocolate and cozies up to spend the rest of the evening reading their books.
English Icelandic
Christmas jólin
Book bók
Flood flóð
Merry Christmas Gleðileg jól
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