In Iceland, books are exchanged for Christmas, and the tradition is to spend the holidays reading and drinking hot chocolate.
Known as Jólabókaflóðið, or the “Yule Book Flood,” this tradition dates back to the early 1940s, when paper was one of the few commodities not rationed during the war, and books became the ideal gift item. (Of course, when are books not an ideal gift?)
Since then, the Bókatíðindi — an overview of the year’s printed publications — is sent to every household in the country during November. People use the catalog to select books from more than 700 titles to give to friends and family for the December holidays. (Insert sweet memories of the Sears catalog arrival.)
Here at Three Chairs Publishing, we can’t think of a better way to spend the holiday season — curled up with a good book and enjoying the slower pace of these winter days.
Our “catalog” of books and zines can be found on our Etsy Shop. Perhaps one of these will be a sweet accompaniment to your hot chocolate or a special surprise for a loved one.
I hope you enjoy the holidays and your own special traditions that make this time of year so cherished.
With love,
Jen Payne
Three Chairs Publishing 