Why Icelanders Give Stories for Christmas?
If you spend December in Iceland, you might notice something unusual in every home: towering stacks of new books. Not toys. Not gadgets. Books.
Welcome to Jólabókaflóðið – the Christmas Book Flood – one of Iceland’s coziest and most beloved holiday traditions.
What is the Icelandic Christmas Book Flood?
Jólabókaflóð (pronounced roughly “yo-la-boke-a-flowth”) is the name Icelanders give to the yearly wave of new books released in the months before Christmas. These books are then bought as presents and exchanged on Christmas Eve – making books the classic Christmas gift in Iceland.
The “flood” doesn’t stop at the bookshop. After gifts are opened on the evening of December 24, many families simply… go quiet. People curl up on sofas, in favorite chairs, or under new blankets, crack open their fresh books, and read late into the night – often with hot chocolate, jólabland, or Christmas beer within reach.
It’s Christmas as introverts secretly dream it: warm lights, thick socks, snow outside, and the whole country reading at once.
How Did the Book Flood Begin?
The story of Jólabókaflóð is tied to both Iceland’s love of literature and the hardships of World War II.
- A nation of readers: Iceland’s literary tradition goes back to the medieval sagas – family histories and epic tales written between the 12th and 15th centuries that still shape Icelandic identity today. Reading and storytelling have been central to Icelandic culture for centuries.
- War-time economics: During World War II and the difficult years that followed, Iceland faced strict restrictions on imports. Many typical Christmas gifts were hard to get – but paper was less restricted than other goods. That made books an affordable, practical, and meaningful present.
In 1944, the same year Iceland became a republic, the Icelandic Publishers Association released the first Bókatíðindi – the Journal of Books, a catalogue of that year’s new titles sent to every home in the country.
That catalogue became the starter pistol for the Christmas Book Flood. Families flipped through Bókatíðindi together, circling titles and planning which books to give each other for Christmas. The habit stuck – and turned into a tradition.
How Jólabókaflóð Works Today
Although the world has changed since 1944, the basic rhythm of the Christmas Book Flood is still the same:
- Mid–November: The catalogue drops
Bókatíðindi (now in print and digital formats) is still published annually and distributed across Iceland. When it appears, people know: book season has officially begun. - Late November–December: Book hunting
Icelanders browse the catalogue, chat about new releases, and visit bookshops – or wander into the book section of supermarkets, where new titles are piled high. For many families, picking out the “right” book for each person is half the fun. - December 24: The quietest night
In Iceland, Christmas Eve is the main gift-giving evening. After dinner, families open presents – and a lot of those packages contain books. Once the unwrapping is done, the room gradually fills with the sound of pages turning. - The long, dark nights do the rest
With limited daylight in December, reading fits perfectly into the rhythm of Icelandic winter. The Book Flood isn’t just about buying books – it’s about slowing down enough to actually read them.
Is Every Icelander Really Reading on Christmas Eve?
The romantic international version of this tradition says that everyone in Iceland exchanges books and then spends all of Christmas Eve reading by the fire. Like all myths, the truth is a bit messier.
- Yes, books are still a hugely popular Christmas gift here.
- Yes, many families include reading as part of their holiday traditions.
- But no, it’s not a strict rule – some families are more “Netflix and board games” than “silent reading retreat”.
Still, compared to most countries, it’s fair to say Iceland takes its Christmas literature very seriously.
Visiting Iceland During the Book Flood
If you’re in Iceland in November or December, you’ll get to see Jólabókaflóð from the inside:
- Bookshops in Reykjavík glowing in the dark afternoons
- Special Christmas displays with new Icelandic titles (many in English, too)
- Locals debating authors over coffee the way some people argue about football
Pick up a translated saga, a modern Icelandic novel, or even a children’s book about the Yule Lads or the Christmas Cat (Jólakötturinn) – the giant mythical cat that allegedly eats people who don’t get new clothes for Christmas.
Then take your new book back to your hotel, apartment, or café, and join the Book Flood yourself.
A Christmas Tradition Made of Quiet Moments
In a season that can feel rushed and noisy, Jólabókaflóð is the opposite: slow, quiet, and deeply human.
It’s not about the perfect tree or the biggest pile of presents. It’s about giving someone a doorway into another world – and taking the time to walk through your own.
So this Christmas, whether you’re in Reykjavík or at home halfway across the world, you might ask yourself a very Icelandic question:
What book am I giving – and what book will I curl up with when the lights go low?
Christmas & New Year Tours in Reykjavík
If you’re visiting Reykjavik in December, join one of our Festive Tours below.
✨ Reykjavik Christmas Walking Journey
Cozy evening walk through twinkling streets, Yule Lad tales, and local traditions.
👉 https://yourfriendinreykjavik.com/tour/reykjavik-christmas-walking-journey/
🕯️ Icelandic Christmas Advent Driving Tour
See how Icelanders light up the dark days of Advent on a relaxed city drive.
👉 https://yourfriendinreykjavik.com/tour/icelandic-christmas-advent-driving-tour/
🎅 Private Reykjavik Christmas Walking Tour
A tailor-made Christmas walk with your own guide and flexible pace.
👉 https://yourfriendinreykjavik.com/tour/private-reykjavik-christmas-walking-tour/
🎇 New Year’s Traditions and Mystery Tour
Discover quirky customs, legends and rituals behind Icelandic New Year.
👉 https://yourfriendinreykjavik.com/tour/new-years-traditions-and-mystery-tour/
🔥 Bonfire Tour on New Year’s Eve
Join locals at a traditional bonfire before the fireworks begin.
👉 https://yourfriendinreykjavik.com/tour/bonfire-tour-on-new-years-eve/
🚢 New Year’s Fireworks Cruise from Reykjavík
Watch Reykjavík’s spectacular fireworks from the sea with a warm drink in hand.
👉 https://yourfriendinreykjavik.com/tour/new-years-fireworks-cruise-from-reykjavik/
This is only a selection of our festive tours, check out all our selection here.
