That means that the 23rd of December takes over as Guide to Iceland Icelandic Christmas Traditions Iceland's "Christmas Book Flood" Meet Your Favorite New Christmas Eve Tradition; Literary Iceland Revels In Its Annual 'Christmas Book Flood' Guide to Iceland Icelandic Christmas Traditions Iceland's "Christmas Book Flood" Dec 20, 2020 Why Icelanders Spend Every Christmas Eve Reading Books and Drinking This tradition is known as Jolabokaflod, which translates roughly to Jolabokaflod started during World War II, when paper was one of the few things not rationed in Iceland. Thirteen days before Christmas, troll-like beings known as Yule Lads visit children and either reward kids by putting candy or a small present in their empty shoe or punishing bad children with potatoes or leaving their sole empty. That's exactly how Icelandic people celebrate Christmas each year. Iceland's holiday tradition is shrouded in mythical folklore. The time, when everybody puts decorating lights into their windows and Christmas light strings outside of their houses, is here. Iceland has perhaps a more subdued tradition, and it centers on particular products commonly purchased as a Christmas gift across the country: books. Posted by on 07 Dec 2020. They invite all tourist that come to visit this island every year to learn and enjoy the diversity of its people, drinks and unique specialties. Jolabokaflod, or “Christmas Book Flood” in English, is the Icelandic tradition of giving and unwrapping new books on Christmas Eve, cozying up with family, and reading into the night. The story dates back centuries though it has evolved over time. Advent is the beginning of the Church Year for most churches in the Western tradition and Iceland as well. Most books published in Iceland are sold between late September and December every year. This tradition is known as Jolabokaflod , which translates roughly to " Christmas book flood" in English. The brightness of lights everywhere is the first hint of Christmas in Iceland. The book I got in Iceland was about the 13 Yule Lads of Christmas. Iceland is known for having some of the best Christmas celebrations in the world! I loved it and the tradition was born. While Icelandic Christmas officially starts on December 24 at 6 PM and is celebrated with meat (often smoked lamb, smoked ham, or even ptarmigan) and traditional pickled red cabbage, a day before, on December 23, þorláksmessa is observed by eating fermented fish. From there, people begin to celebrate various Christmas traditions, leading up to Christmas Day. Christmas Traditions in Iceland. Typical Icelandic foods at Christmas are at the heart of Icelandic traditions. A friendly clerk chimed in told me which books were popular and then told me about a couple of the books that all the Icelandic kids read growing up. Culinary traditions. Christmas Tree Traditions The Advent. 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