Loading...

Christmas Boats and Trees

Loading...

Although Christmas trees are extremely popular, both Christmas trees and boats can be found in the villages of the Greek islands.

Loading...

Loading...

Loading...

The decoration of the ship is an age-old Greek Christmas custom that remains a celebratory standard in many households this time of the year, although it has
been gradually replaced by the Christmas tree. Throughout the country’s history, Greek wives and children would decorate wooden boats to welcome their
husbands and sons back from the sea, safe from harm.
According to tradition, the ship symbolizes the new direction that the birth of Christ gives
to human life. It is a custom of old when children made their own toys.
Today, the tradition still stands.

Loading...

Traditional Christmas Carols

Loading...

Loading...

On Christmas Eve, it’s common in Greece for children to flock from home to home in their neighborhoods to sing Greek Christmas carols, or “kalanta.”
Carols, kalanta, which are folk songs of greeting and praise with Byzantine roots, are sung every year, mainly on the eve of Christmas, New Year’s, and Epiphany.
After wishing their neighbors happy holidays, the children are usually rewarded withsweets, dried fruits and small change.
Depending on the region you are visiting in Greece, there are many different variations of kálanda.
Depending on how organized the kids are, you may hear a single child with a triangle or a whole band with guitars and harmonicas to accompany the triangle!

Gifts Aren’t Exchanged on Christmas

In most countries where Christmas is celebrated, people exchange gifts either on Christmas Eve, or on Christmas Day itself. The legendary person who brings gifts to children is Santa Claus, who is associated with the christian Saint Nicholas.

Greece follows this tradition, only a
little different! Over here, we have Saint Basil, or Agios Vassilis in Greek. Traditionally, he brings Christmas gifts to the children on the night between New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Yes, Greek kids have to wait for a
few extra days to get their presents!

The Epiphany, known is Greek as Theofánia,
is observed on the 6th of January every year. It’s the date when the Greek Orthodox church commemorates the baptism of Jesus Christ by St John the Baptist.

The Epiphany Celebration

The Epiphany is celebrated everywhere
in Greece, and especially the coastal areas. Priests throw a cross in the sea, and young men (and some women) dive to retrieve it. Whoever manages to find it
and bring it back, is blessed for the New Year.

Traditional Greek Christmas Sweets

Melomakarona

Melomakárona are delicious Greek Christmas
biscuits – or Christmas cookies, if you prefer.
The main ingredients are flour, sugar and olive oil, and there’s a hint of orange, cinnamon and clove. After they’ve been baked, the crunchy cookies are dipped in a light syrup  made out of honey and water, and sprinkled with chopped walnuts.The final texture is soft and the melomakárona literally melt in your mouth.

Kourabiedes

Kourabiedes (also kourambiedes / kourampiedes) are one of the most popular Christmas treeats. They are crunchy, crumbly cookies consisting mainly of flour, sugar, butter and alm onds. Some recipes call for eggs as well.

 

Vassilopita – Greek New Year Cake

Greek Christmas Dishes

Every Greek family has its Vassilopita, the New Year’s cake, concealing a lucky coin. After midnight, the Vassilopita is sliced and handed round by the head of the family.
A cross is scored over the surface, the first slice is for Jesus Christ, the second for The Virgin Mary, the third for Saint Vassilis, the fourth for the house and then, for each member of the family, starting with the oldest.
Whoever finds the lucky coin has good luck and good fortune for the rest of the year.

 

Some of the staple dishes prepared for Christmas day in Greece are stuffed turkey and roasted pork, usually se
rved with potatoes and salad. There will typically be various starters like tiropita,cheese pie, or spanakopita, spinach pie.
Like in many other countries, lunches around the Christmas table are long and merry. It’s a good opportunity for family and friends to get together, catch up and celebrate.

A POMEGRANATE

An ancient symbol of prosperity and good luck, is hung
above the door throughout Christmas.
At midnight, on New Year’s Eve, the lights are turned
out and  the pomegranate is then hurled to the floor, or at the door, where it smashes, spilling out its seeds, the more seeds the better!
This helps ensure luck, health, happiness and
prosperity for the coming year.