For families that celebrate Christmas, the days up to the big day can be rather hectic - a whirlwind of preparation, excitement, and, frankly, stress. It's all in the name of love, hospitality and good things - but phew, it can be a challenge.
Perhaps you need some relaxing downtime? Why not consider adopting the Icelandic tradition of Jólabókaflóð (approximately pronounced Yo-lah-boke-ah-flode) - the calming time that Icelandic families enjoy on the night before Christmas quietly reading.
Literally translating as "Christmas book flood," Jólabókaflóð is the tradition of not just gifting books, but actually reading them together on Christmas Eve.
Imagine the whole family cozied up in front of the fire, a warm drink in one hand and a book in the other, quietly enjoying some calm reading time together. Quite a contrast to the sensory overload that can often mark the holiday for the rest of us!
How did this Christmas book giving and reading tradition get started? According to jolabokaflod.org, it began during World War II after Iceland gained its independence from Denmark in 1944. Since paper was one of the few things not rationed during the war, Icelanders gifted one another books.
Every year since, a book catalog - the "Book Bulletin" - has been published by the Icelandic book trade and sent to every household in mid-November. People order books from the catalog to give as gifts for Christmas. And then cuddle up on Christmas Eve to start reading them.