No, that isn’t a typo. Yes, you heard us right! This year, get into the reading spirit by embracing the time-honored tradition of Jolabokaflod. If you love cozying up on long winter nights with a good book, this is a must for your holiday plans.
What is Jolabokaflod?
Jolabokaflod, which translates directly to “Yule Book Flood,” is a cherished Icelandic tradition deeply rooted in a love of storytelling that dates back to the early 1940s. It is always spent in the company of loved ones, gifting new books and reading them by each other’s sides as you enjoy delicious holiday treats and create memories that will last your friends and family a lifetime.
How Do You Pronounce Jolabokaflod?
It doesn’t matter if Icelandic isn’t your first language—anyone can celebrate it! Before you suggest it to your friends and families, learn how to pronounce it properly. In phonetic English, Jolabokaflod is pronounced: “yo-lah-boh-kha-flawd.”
When is Jolabokaflod?
Every year, Jolabokaflod occurs on December 24th—also known as Christmas Eve! The gift-buying process begins earlier in the season when the Bókatíðindi, a free catalog of all the new books published in Iceland, is released and distributed to each home. Guests then gather at someone’s home surrounded by magical Christmas decorations to enjoy one another’s company and spend the evening reading and indulging in sweets.
How to Host Your First Jolabokaflod
This year, make memories you and yours will remember for years to come and host a Jolabokaflod at home! Follow these simple steps to celebrate the Yule in a literary-loving style:
Step 1: Send out your invites! Decide whether you’re keeping it to your immediate family members or extending it to cousins, grandparents, friends, neighbors—you name it!
Step 2: Decide how you’re gifting books—are you, the host, buying a title for each guest? Will you set up more of a Secret Santa-style gathering where each person chooses a novel for another invitee? Will you just have a selection your guests can browse before they settle into reading for the night?
Step 3: Buy festive snacks! Think indulgent sweets, decadent hot chocolate, Icelandic-inspired charcuterie boards, classic Christmas cookies, and maybe even a mulled wine, depending on your age range.
Step 4: Set the mood by lighting the fire aglow, hanging Christmas lights, and adding plush blankets and pillows to each seat and floor space so your guests can cozy up with their novel.
Step 5: Sit back, open your book, and enjoy your night!
Celebrate Jolabokaflod with Audiobooks!
Oral storytelling is an important element in this Icelandic tradition. We think audiobooks are the perfect modern update! If you have little ones that would rather listen to a professional spin a tale or your group would rather lay down, close their eyes, and hear a new book read aloud, feel free to turn on an audiobook.
It doesn’t matter where you and your family decide to celebrate the holidays—anyone can celebrate Jolabokaflod! Pay attention to the newest releases at your local bookstore and buy whatever ones pique your interest. Wrap them up, hand them out, and get to reading!
