Jolabokaflod - My Thoughts on a Icelandic Tradition

It's that time of year again, where I usually do a round up of the books that I gave and received this Christmas, but funnily enough this year was not so book heavy! Unusual for our house. Maybe it was because we'd done a lot of reading already this year, what with lockdown! Or maybe it was because we gave and received more practical, or even more indulgent presents, because of the kind of year we've all had! I for one, got lots of cosy socks and PJs, which says a lots really! But what about books? Aren't they an indulgent gift, don't they go hand in hand with the cosy socks and the PJs? Well yes, I would agree with that! But, I also now feel well equipped to snuggle down and read all the books on my to-read pile! So maybe I didn't need any new books this Christmas, just the accoutrements to enjoy what I already had, which seems pretty fitting for 2020. 

That being said though, I have just discovered a Icelandic tradition that I have 100% fallen in love with! Jolabokaflod! Or the Christmas book flood! It's no surprise to anyone who knows me, that I have taken another Nordic tradition to heart! I love a bit of Hygge and Fika, so why not Jolabokaflod!? Let me explain... 

So on Christmas Eve it is tradition in Iceland to give each other books as presents. This started in the 1940s when paper was one of the only things that wasn't rationed in Iceland during the war! Thinking it sounds like a good tradition good so far? It gets better! Once you have received your book (or books if you're lucky!) the rest of the evening is spent snuggled up reading them, in the warmest, cosiest, place you can find! With, of course, a compulsory hot chocolate and even a roaring fire! What's not to love!!??

I reckon this is a tradition we could all embrace! Not only is it the loveliest way to spend an evening with your loved ones, it also encourages people to switch off their phones, other devices, televisions, stop worrying about what time the turkey needs to go in the oven the next morning, or whether you've bought enough booze for the festivities! It just allows for us to be present in the moment, and frankly we all need a bit of that these days! If this year has taught us anything, it's that if we slow down, linger a little longer, open our eyes, then the world has so much more the show us and for us to experience, and the best thing is, it's right under our noses. So why not incorporate an element of Jolabokaflod into our lives? It could be as simple as recommending a good book to a friend! Or in true Jolabokaflod style why not gather up all your cosiest things, a snuggly blanket, and a hot drink of your choice and get lost in the pages of a book. You'll find that it's very good for the soul, but then I think you already knew that...

Thanks for reading, L x