Courtesy photo
Many Coloradans have anxiously questioned what gifts to get for their friends and family members. Would they like this shirt? How would she like this expensive necklace?
For gift ideas, take an example from Iceland: books! A flood of books, to be more accurate. Since 1944, citizens of Iceland have celebrated reading, family and giving through the celebration of Jolabokaflod, which translates to “happy book flood.”
During World War II, many resources were rationed, making it harder for families to gift their children new winter mittens or other gifts. Paper was one of the few items not rationed, so books became the common gift to exchange. Every year since, a holiday book catalogue is mailed to each home in Iceland. From this catalogue, people order their new books, and they arrive just in time for the holiday.
Icelanders exchange gifts on Christmas Eve, and beginning the new book immediately is encouraged. After gifts are opened, everyone plucks their most anticipated book and snuggles up with a cozy cup of hot chocolate or perhaps the traditional jolabland.
Based on the recipe, this drink is anything but bland. Mix equal parts orange soda and a brown ale such as Guinness. Then, grab your favorite reading blanket and get lost in the new book.
Reading is an important part of Icelandic culture, families and tradition. According to popular Reykjavik news outlets, Iceland is no doubt a country of readers, with many citizens boasting of having read at least eight books in a year. This is on par with many Americans reading nine to fifteen books a year, depending on a range of demographics.
This love and excitement around gifting books not only benefits communities but also the publishing companies. Compared with other Scandinavian countries, Iceland out-publishes and out-sells all its neighbors. Books are not only exchanged during the holiday, but also during birthdays, anniversaries and many other celebrations.
This holiday tradition shares many of the same values as the Grand County Library District, such as lifelong learning through exposure to new ideas and information. Free thought, exchange of ideas and creating a strong community are all connected to literacy and sharing the love of reading. Books help us to lay down memories.
One day, you will read something that will change your life.
But best of all, books are a great gift to give because they are easier to wrap than an SUV! Happy Jolabokaflod!
Arthur Dollard is a library associate at Grand County Library District.
This post was originally published on here
