By Karen Kelly | Special to the Times Vedette

If you are a Facebook user, chances are you have seen the meme that goes around each year at Christmas time regarding the tradition of Jolabokaflod among the people of Finland.  Jolabokaflod, which translates to “the Christmas book flood,” is the tradition of the people of Finland gifting each other books on Christmas Eve. According to Facebook, they then put on pajamas and crawl into bed to spend the evening reading their new books and drinking hot cocoa. This sounds like the most glorious Christmas Eve tradition of all time. So I began to explore this idea.

In researching, I discovered an online forum in which several people from Finland said that first, some people might do this, but it isn’t as if every citizen of Finland grabs their books and cocoa and jumps into bed on Christmas Eve. In fact, Dec. 24 is the day Fins celebrate Christmas, so it isn’t even Christmas Eve. Furthermore, according to Finnish people who responded to the online discussion, people give books because it’s a safe gift, especially if one isn’t well-acquainted with the recipient. Additionally, book publishing houses in Finland release most new books between September and December, another reason books are popular gifts. Allegedly, according to Martha Stewart, the tradition of giving books for Christmas became common during World War II since paper was one of the few commodities that was readily available during the war. 

Here’s what I have decided. I don’t care if this is truly the way all the people of Finland spend Christmas Eve; I think it’s brilliant. I very likely will start this tradition in my home, but I might do it the night after Christmas when nothing pressing is left to do.  

So, if you care to join me in adopting this idea, I suggest you stop by the library to gather up a pile of new releases to check out. Save your Christmas money. 

Holiday Hours 

The MJB Library will be closed on Dec. 24 and 25 for Christmas. We will be closing early at 3 p.m. on Dec. 31, New Year’s Eve, and will be closed on Jan. 1 for New Year’s Day. 

Children’s Activities During Winter Break

On Monday, Dec. 23, and Monday, Dec. 30, the library will provide a craft for children to do. Thursday, Dec. 26, will be movie day. These activities will be on a come-and-go basis, so these will be available during regular library hours of noon to 6 p.m. On Friday, Dec. 27, the preschool story hour will feature the theme of snowmen. Storyhour is at 10 a.m. for preschoolers and their caregivers. 

Adventure Pass on Pause

Due to issues with the ticket software company used to make reservations, the Iowa Libraries Adventure Pass will be put on pause starting Dec. 31. The calendar is still open for new reservations through Dec. 31. Reservations that were previously made for dates past Dec. 31 will still be honored. However, new reservations are not being taken for dates after Dec. 31. (Please print or save your email for any reservations that are made after Dec. 31.) We know you all love the Adventure Pass, and we are working on finding a new reservation software to get it back up and running as soon as we can.   

This will affect all libraries that participate in the Adventure Pass program. If you have reserved an Adventure Pass, remember to print out all the materials you will need to use the Adventure Pass prior to Dec. 31. 

Festival of Trees

Be sure to stop in the Library before Dec. 31 to see the creative trees that have been shared with us this season. Take time to look at the intricate quilt on loan from Cindy Steensen and the collection of Hallmark village pieces that are on loan from Judy Hilgenberg as well.

Wichita Wildcats 4-H Club is responsible for this charming tree.

This lovely tree was the product of Synergy Wellness and Physical Therapy and Outdoor Odyssey.

This creative tree decorated by RSVP tells the story of the importance of volunteering.

MJB Library Staff is responsible for this “Polar Express”-inspired tree.

Guthrie County/ISU Extension Office decorated this lovely tree.

The Guthrie County Arts Council created this “Grinchy” tree for the MJB Library Festival of Trees.

Girl Scout Troop 649 put up this lovely tree that tells the story of the Girl Scout mission.

Friends of the Guthrie Center Library created a tree inspired by the “Grinch Who Stole Christmas.”