In the words of Frank Sinatra, “the weather outside is frightful. But the fire is so delightful. Since we’ve no place to go. Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.”
This describe the traditional notion of going inside, warming up from the cold winter weather, and curling up by the fire with a good book as we wish for a white Christmas.
One of the reasons as to why avid readers loving reading, especially at Christmas, is because it one’s if the many things that gets us in the spirit.
When there’s free time between Christmas gatherings and present wrapping, curling up with a book is a enchantingly festive way to relax during the busier moments at this time of year.
In Iceland, they have a classic Christmas tradition that both Icelandic and international readers adore. This tradition is called the ‘Christmas Book Flood’ or Jolabokaflod as its more commingled known in Iceland.
A catalogue of books called Bókatíðindi, which translates to the book bulletin is sent to all households during their annual Reykjavik Book Fair. The book bulletin is sent sometime in November, where people order books for
their loved family and friends at Christmas. On Christmas Eve, they exchange presents of books and stay in reading in a cosy spot with a good hot chocolate or Icelandic Christmas cocktail jólabland.
The tradition was started during World War Two as books were not rationed. It was started in 1944 after Iceland got its independence for Denmark.
The official Jolabokaflod website has said: “This increase in giving books as presents reinforced Iceland’s culture as a nation of bookaholics – a study conducted by Bifröst University in 2013 found that half the country’s population read at least eight books a year.”
A classic book that wouldn’t go amiss as a Jolabokaflod present is one of the Harry Potter books. In particular, it’s magical deceptions of stories at Christmas at Hogwarts. The magical vestiges begin with Harry’s first Christmas at Hogwarts where he’s gifted his fathers infamous invisibility cloak.
It wouldn’t be Christmas at Hogwarts without the transformation of the great hall.
“Christmas was coming. One morning in mid-December, Hogwarts woke to find itself covered in several feet of snow. The lake froze solid and the Weasley twins were punished for bewitching several snowballs so that they followed Quirrell around, bouncing off the back of his turban.
“The Hall looked spectacular. Festoons of holly and mistletoe hung all around the walls and no fewer than twelve towering Christmas trees stood around the room, some sparkling with tiny icicles, some glittering with hundreds of candles.”
In conclusion, books and Christmas go hand in hand. The festive season brings something truly special, when we cosy up with a good book and wait for snow.
Merry Christmas Everyone!
the girl and the city of books 
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