Why Do Icelanders Exchange Stories for Christmas?
Spend December in Iceland and you’ll notice something a little different inside most homes: towering stacks of books, not gadgets or toys. That’s the Christmas Book Flood—a tradition that wraps the whole country in something that feels genuinely festive, quietly and without fuss.
What is the Icelandic Christmas Book Flood?
The term “Christmas Book Flood” (roughly pronounced “YOH-lah-bok-ah-floth”) refers to the annual wave of new book releases that arrives in the run-up to Christmas. On Christmas Eve, those books become gifts exchanged between family and friends, making literature the go-to holiday present in Iceland.
Once the wrapping paper is cleared on the evening of December 24, the house goes quiet. People settle into sofas, favourite chairs, or under new blankets with their fresh reads—hot chocolate nearby, snow falling outside. It’s a scene that suits introverts perfectly: soft lamp light, thick socks, and the whole country reading at the same time.
How Did the Book Flood Begin?
The roots of the Jólabókaflóð run deep, tangled up in Iceland’s love of literature and the pressures of World War II.
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A Nation of Readers: Iceland’s literary tradition stretches back to the medieval sagas—family chronicles and epic tales written between the 12th and 15th centuries that still shape how Icelanders see themselves. Storytelling has always been central here.
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War-time Economics: During World War II, Iceland faced strict import restrictions. Most of the usual Christmas gifts were hard to come by, but paper stayed plentiful. Books became a practical and meaningful option for families who didn’t have much to spend.
In 1944, the year Iceland declared itself a republic, the Icelandic Publishers Association produced the first Book Journal—a catalogue of new titles mailed to every home in the country. Families pored over it together, circling titles, debating choices, planning gifts. That small catalogue set the whole tradition in motion, and the habit has held ever since.
How the Christmas Book Flood Works Today
A lot has changed since 1944, but the basic rhythm of Jólabókaflóð has stayed remarkably intact:
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Mid-November: The Catalogue Drops
Bókatíðindi, available in both print and digital formats, lands across Iceland each year, and that’s the unofficial start of book season. -
Late November–December: Book Hunting
People flip through the catalogue, swap recommendations, and wander through bookstores or supermarket aisles stacked with new titles. For many families, finding the right book for each person is part of the fun. -
December 24: The Quietest Night
Christmas Eve is when gifts are exchanged in Iceland. After dinner, the unwrapping begins—books are a safe bet—and once the paper settles, the sound of turning pages takes over. -
The Long, Dark Nights Do the Rest
With so little daylight, reading fits naturally into the rhythm of an Icelandic winter. The Book Flood isn’t really about buying books; it’s a reason to slow down and actually read them.
Is Every Icelander Really Reading on Christmas Eve?
The romantic version of this story has everyone in Iceland swapping books and reading by the fire all night. Reality, as always, is a bit more complicated.
- Yes, books are indeed a favored Christmas gift.
- Many families incorporate reading into their holiday rituals.
- However, it’s not a rigid rule—some families find joy in “Netflix and board games” more than in silent reading.
Still, compared to most countries, Iceland takes its literary traditions seriously. Books carry a different weight here.
Visiting Iceland During the Book Flood
If you’re in Iceland any time in November or December, you’ll catch Jólabókaflóð in full swing:
- Bookshops in Reykjavík glow warmly against the dark afternoons—well worth a browse.
- Special Christmas displays showcase new Icelandic titles, and many are available in English.
- People talk about the latest releases over coffee with the same enthusiasm others reserve for football.
Pick up a translated saga, a contemporary Icelandic novel, or a children’s book about the Yule Lads or the enormous Christmas Cat (Jólakötturinn)—the creature notorious for eating anyone who doesn’t receive new clothing for the holidays. Then find a cosy hotel lobby or café, order something warm, and read. That’s the Book Flood in its simplest form.
A Christmas Tradition Made of Quiet Moments
When December tends to feel like a sprint, Jólabókaflóð offers something different: a reason to sit still, give someone a story, and read one yourself.
It’s not about perfect trees or expensive presents. It’s about handing someone a door into another world—and walking through your own.
This Christmas, whether you’re in Reykjavík or somewhere far away, there’s a very Icelandic question worth asking:
What book will I gift—and which one will I curl up with as the lights dim?
Christmas & New Year Tours in Reykjavík
If you’re visiting Reykjavík in December, join one of our festive tours below:
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✨ Reykjavik Christmas Walking Journey
Cozy evening walk through twinkling streets, enriched with Yule Lad tales and local traditions.
👉 Join the Journey -
🕯️ Icelandic Christmas Advent Driving Tour
Experience how Icelanders illuminate the dark days of Advent on a leisurely city drive.
👉 Join the Tour -
🎅 Private Reykjavik Christmas Walking Tour
A personalized Christmas walk at your own pace with a dedicated guide.
👉 Join the Private Tour -
🎇 New Year’s Traditions and Mystery Tour
Discover quirky customs, legends, and rituals surrounding Icelandic New Year.
👉 Discover the Traditions -
🔥 Bonfire Tour on New Year’s Eve
Join locals at a traditional bonfire to welcome the new year with warmth and community.
👉 Join the Bonfire -
🚢 New Year’s Fireworks Cruise from Reykjavík
Enjoy Reykjavík’s spectacular fireworks from the sea with a warm drink in hand.
👉 Cruise the Fireworks
This is just a glimpse of our festive offerings; discover more options in our full selection.
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