Christmas Carols

In Greece, there are many Christmas customs similar but at the same time somewhat different from the West.

For example, the custom of the day before  Christmas day kids go home from home offering greetings and singing carols, starting early in the morning and ending late in the afternoon. Children usually accompany their songs with metal triangles and small clay drums. 

Carols follow appreciation rewards that are often either sweet or money. There are three different carols in Greece: for Christmas, for New Year's Eve and for Epiphany day.

Carols may have varying verses that vary from region to region, but their beliefs and wishes  for the prosperity of the home are common.

Christmas tree

In Greece, in old times , the Christmas tree was not among the traditional Greek customs. People used to decorate a small, wooden (and often handmade) boat, which was incorporated into the Greek tradition due to its naval character. 

Christmas tree

In Greece, in old times , the Christmas tree was not among the traditional Greek customs. People used to decorate a small, wooden (and often handmade) boat, which was incorporated into the Greek tradition due to its naval character. 

The Christmas tree became a part of the Greek tradition in 1883, as part of a more general adoption of western patterns and habits by the Greeks as well as the colorful lights they place on the balconies or in their lounges and windows to add a touch of festive mood to these saints days. The decoration lasts until 7 January, Saint John's day, the day after Epiphany.

Although the most customary New Year's Eve in Greece is the Vasilopita with the coin (Christmas pie), there are other customs for this important day. After the change of time, the Greeks break a pomegranate at the doorstep of the house (usually in a bag to prevent pomegranate juice from dying) as this fruit is intertwined with luck and prosperity.

If New Year's Day is not celebrated at home but outside, the return is accompanied by the entrance to the house with the right foot, because this move is considered to bring good luck.

When the time changes, the Greeks turn off the lights and reopen them a few seconds later. This movement symbolizes the new beginning. They also open a bottle of champagne, a relatively new custom for that night.

On New Year's Eve but also on the first day of the year, there is no specific food that should be prepared, although the table should be rich and full - prosperity is always the demand of the new year and a full table is synonymous with good fortune and the wealth of the house.

On the mainland and the Cycladic Islands, Greeks prepare a dish of various goods, including fruits, honey, fruits (almonds and walnuts) and sweets, and eat from it the first day of the year.

When the Good comes, Evil has to leave and hide in the dark where it continues to survive and grow. This is the case that these elves, small black, hairy monsters  land on earth shortly before Christmas, are forced to go back to the earth before the sanctification of the Epiphany.

 The legend of "Kallikantzaros" is very common in Greece, and it should 

be noted that these creatures are interwoven with anything bad and evil.

 Schools close on 23 December and open again on January 8th !!