Icelanders have a lovely tradition for Christmas Eve. Even if celebrating on Dec. 24 is not your tradition, perhaps you may like to adopt this one.
Called Jolabokaflod, the practice involves cracking open a new book and drinking hot chocolate, or nibbling on some chocolate treat. It started during the Second World War, when paper, unlike other commodities, was not rationed. This turned into Icelanders giving books as presents (and have turned the country into a reading culture as a result) and celebrating family and friendship on Dec. 24.
If someone hasn’t given you a book, present one to yourself. Pick your favourite reading spot, curl up with a mug of something nice and hot, preferably chocolate, and lose yourself in the power and beauty of words.
