What is Jolabokaflod, A Forgotten Tradition?

Traditions are what make Christmas so magical, whether it’s baking Gingerbread or watching Christmas movies all day.

If you’re up for a new tradition this year, we invite you to try the Icelandic tradition of gifting and reading books on Christmas Eve, known as Jolabokaflod.

Jolabokaflod a magical Icelandic tradition

Picture this: after receiving a book on Christmas Eve, you cosy up in bed or in front of a fire with a hot chocolate for the night. That’s how Icelandic people spend their time on Christmas Eve, in a tradition called Jólabókaflóðið.

Jólabókaflóðið, or Jolabokaflod, which translates to ‘the Christmas book flood’, is the Icelandic tradition of giving new books on Christmas Eve and reading them as a family.

The literature features prominently in Icelandic history as easy as the 800s. However, the Jolabokaflod tradition began in 1944 when the Icelandic book trade sent a catalogue to every household in mid-November during the Reykjavík Book Fair. The catalogue was called Bókatíðindi (‘Book Bulletin’, in English).

Ever since, in mid-November, households get a catalogue to order books, with the books delivered in time for Christmas Eve.

Scandinavian style bedframe made from high-quality oak. — Pictured: Scandinavian 4FT 6 Double Bed Frame, Available from Bedstar - Cosy up Scandi Style

Books ordered via the Bókatíðindi, or indeed anywhere else, are traditionally gifted on Christmas Eve in Iceland. Families read the books they are given on 24 December, although it is common to read one story as a family in Britain.

The idea behind Jolabokaflod

The idea behind Jolabokaflod is simple - Christmas Eve becomes a magical time where stories are told. Add hot cocoa, mulled wine, candles and a lit fireplace, and you have all the ingredients for a cosy Christmas Eve.

On Christmas eve, Icelanders exchange books as gifts and then spend the night reading them. This tradition is called Jolabokaflod. — Pictured: On Christmas eve, Icelanders exchange books as gifts and then spend the night reading them.

Jolabokaflod is traditionally practised by reading alone with a cup of hot chocolate, although family storytime is perfectly acceptable.

A great way to mix up Jolabokaflod is by drawing random names, so everyone (hopefully) gets a book not necessarily to their taste. Family members then have to guess which books were meant for them, creating a fun guessing game.

Jolabokaflod is so deeply ingrained in Icelandic culture that most books in Iceland are sold between September and December.

Five more Christmas Eve tradition ideas

The truth is, Christmas Eve is criminally wasted. We can get caught up making preparations for Christmas Day, and our minds are often fixated on Christmas, making Christmas Eve a frustrating ‘nothing’ kind of day.

Thankfully, in addition to Jolabokaflod, there are several more traditions you can try to make Christmas Eve a day to remember:

Bake something delicious

Gingerbread, iced snowmen, cinnamon buns and mince pies are Christmas staples that make a delicious treat on Christmas Eve.

Decorated gingerbread cookies with spices on the table. Celebrating Jolabokaflod. — Pictured: Decorated gingerbread cookies with spices on the table.

Hot chocolate with all the trimmings

What better time to overeat on hot chocolate than Christmas Eve? Go big with whipped cream, marshmallows, toffee bits, sea salt, chocolate chips and cinnamon sticks.

Go look at Christmas lights

When day turns to night, wrap up warm and head out to look at Christmas lights. Your nearest town or village centre is as good a place as any.

Play a family board game

Whether it’s something simple like Pop Up Pirate or something that requires a little bit of brainpower like Guess Who?, board games are always a win on Christmas Eve.