We are open, Jólabókaflóðið and in 5 weeks it's Boxing Day
(originally posted 22 Nov 2024)
To celebrate launching the store today (AAAAAAAHHHHH!!!) and with Christmas not very far off, let’s talk about the Icelandic Christmas Eve tradition of Jólabókaflóðið (pronounced YO-lah-bok-ah-flod). Not to be confused with the (terrifying) Icelandic Christmas creature, Jólakötturinn (the giant Yule Cat who eats children)
The much less nightmare inducing Jólabókaflóðið tradition translates to “Christmas Book Flood” and it involves reading books, drinking hot chocolate and lying in bed. In short - the dream. (And if you’re reading this as someone who knows me you’ll already know my love for Iceland is strong and I do talk about it…a lot…and my favourite day of the year is Christmas Eve so when I say it’s my dream I really mean it).
So, before I start rambling about how much I love Iceland, here’s your Moonlight Rainbow checklist so you too can recreate and celebrate Jólabókaflóðið!
1. Exchange books as gifts with loved ones. You could buy and gift a book from say, off the top of my head...a new, independent, recently launched, online bookshop; OR go to your local charity shop and see what surprises they have - Salvation Army is a favourite for us - OR visit your local library and borrow some books; OR wrap up books you already have; OR don’t even bother wrapping them and just lay them on the floor. You might want to include Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen's “How Does Santa Go Down The Chimney” this year. A pretty delightful read with the best kind of farcical humour. This book made me and my daughter laugh out loud last year and it was one I had to read on repeat (which I was fine with!) I had some concerns it would drive our overly curious 5 year old to overthink this question and in turn ask us too many questions (nothing worse than an off the cuff, sleepy response to a Santa question!) but fortunately my fears did not come true. It's a modern classic.
Or if you want something not so wholesome, 'The Dinosaur that Pooped Christmas!' by Tom Fletcher, Dougie Poynter and Garry Parsons is ideal. My sister got this book for the kids a few years ago (part of a series, this dino has some serious gut issues that need addressed asap) It is DISGUSTING, with lines such as “It pooped out the turkey, the toys and the telly. And even the tinsel was now brown and smelly” So obviously we love it!! It is however one of those books where you realise the English pronunciation and the Scottish pronunciation of words can be quite different which sends the rhyme slightly off kilter (only once or twice maybe! Not enough where it needs translated to Scots! Although that would be an interesting version…. “Dear Tom Fletcher, have you considered…”)
2. Cosy up by the fire... Or put on your favourite streaming service and search for a virtual fireplace, get a hot water bottle, a snuggly jumper on and light some candles. Mud and Bloom subscription boxes have been a favourite monthly delivery in our house for years now. They also have a great blog with free craft ideas. So if you’re a family that likes some early December crafting, do some Jólabókaflóðið prep and make some super easy tissue paper jam jar lanterns. Then you can get your Wairm Lambswool Knit “Coorie In” mini Hot Water Bottle filled, warm up some Bare Bones hot chocolate, add in an Orkney marshmallow and...
3….Relax and read. Like thousands of families around the World, reading “The Night Before Christmas” is an annual Christmas Eve Tradition in our home. The first thing that makes Roger Duvoisin’s stand apart from other versions is that it is unusually tall and skinny and oh does it make the illustrations even more special. In a dazzling palette of primary colours (and green!), angular illustrations and perfectly placed text on a lovely thick matte paper (for fellow paper nerds out there - it’s a good one!) this book is one to be kept, treasured and passed down. Can you tell I adore it?