A couple of weeks ago we talked about St. Nicholas and how his day is celebrated by millions around the world, with our focus on the Dutch way of celebrating him.
Now we head to Iceland, where a Christmas Eve tradition has caught the attention of my wife and me. It's a relatively recent tradition in the big scheme of things; in 1944, when Iceland gained its independence from Denmark, most commodities were being rationed due to the war. But paper was one thing in apparently abundant supply. So the book-loving Icelanders began giving books as gifts, including at Christmas.
In mid-November every year since then, the Icelandic book industry distributes a book catalogue to every household to coincide with the Reykjavik Book Fair, in time for everyone to put in their Christmas orders.
Christmas gift giving usually happens on December 24, and always includes the giving and receiving of books. Once all the presents are unwrapped, everyone settles in with a cup of hot chocolate or non-alcoholic Christmas ale and begins reading a book they have received.
Talk about hygge.
They call it Jolabokaflod, literally meaning "Christmas book flood". I can hardly think of a better, cozier way to spend Christmas Eve.
However you plan to spend your holiday, I wish you a very merry, peaceful and healthy Christmas.