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Τα έθιμα των Χριστουγέννων

5ο Νηπιαγωγείο Αμαλιάδας

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5o Νηπιαγωγείο Αμαλιάδας

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Τα έθιμα των Χριστουγέννων

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5o Νηπιαγωγείο Αμαλιάδας

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Τα έθιμα των Χριστουγέννων

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Usturoi Elena, „Nicu Albu” Secondary School, Piatra Neamt, Neamt, Romania

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Usturoi Elena, „Nicu Albu” Secondary School, Piatra Neamt, Neamt, Romania

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Christmas Celebration in Neamț

The Christmas celebration in Neamț has its own specific traditions, ranging from Christmas trees, carolers, and gifts to traditional Moldavian dishes. Homes are prepared for the holiday and decorated with ornaments featuring vegetal or geometric carvings on porches and gates. Housewives take pride in outdoing one another by cooking the most delicious dishes and celebrating together with their families.

In this region, Christmas is a family holiday, a time when everyone gathers at the table to enjoy traditional homemade meals. Essential on the menu are braided bread and walnut-filled cakes, soup, pork-based dishes such as head cheese, liver sausage, sausages, meat stew, aspic (or jelly), pork rind, and the delightful stuffed vine leaves (sarmale) baked in the oven.

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Colindatorii Scolii Nicu Albu Piatra Neamt

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Estonia Kadrina Kinderkarten Sipsik - Making gingerbread together

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Estonia Kadrina Kinderkarten Sipsik - Making gingerbread together

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In Estonia our most important tradition is making gingerbreads together with kids.

Kids favourite part is decorate them.

Best flavor is then, when decoration is thicker than biscuit.

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Felicia Sprincenatu - School Izbiceni - Romania

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Christmas Traditions Salerno, Campania, Italy

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Christmas Traditions Salerno, Campania, Italy

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The nativity scene is a centuries-old rite, then traditional desserts such as struffoli, spaghetti with seafood, fried fish give flavor to the parties, but also cities full of lights, but we must never forget the only tradition that goes absolutely respected: spending Christmas with those we love.

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Christmas Traditions Salerno, Campania, Italia

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Christmas Traditions Salerno, Campania, Italia

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In Campania the month of December brings with it a magical and festive atmosphere. With its traditions rich in history, the beauty of its landscapes and delicious gastronomy, Campania offers a variety of activities to make Christmas unforgettable. You can't miss the nativity scene, the lights in the street and the food

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11o Kindergarten of Serres - The Christmas Carols

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11o Kindergarten of Serres - The Christmas Carols

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The singing of carols (kάλαντα) is one of the most cherished Greek Christmas traditions, filled with joy and festive spirit.

When they are sung:
Children sing carols on the Eve of Christmas, New Year’s, and Epiphany (Theophany).

The process:
Groups of children go from house to house or visit shops, carrying triangles and sometimes other musical instruments, such as drums or flutes. They sing traditional songs that announce the festive event, such as the Nativity, the arrival of the New Year, or the Baptism of Christ.

Rewards:
As a gesture of hospitality and good fortune, the hosts reward the children with money, sweets (like melomakarona or kourabiedes), or small gifts. Along with their songs, the children offer wishes for health and prosperity.

Traditional carols:
Each region in Greece has its unique carols, with melodies and lyrics reflecting local traditions. Some of the most famous carols include:

For Christmas: "Good evening, noblemen, if I may announce..."

For New Year’s: "A good year and a good beginning..."

For Epiphany: "Today is the Feast of Lights and the shining day..."

The tradition of caroling highlights the sense of community, joy, and heritage that accompanies the holiday season in Greece, filling neighborhoods with songs and heartfelt wishes.

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1st class of 9th Kindergarden of Kalamaria- Mavromati Maria

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"Κλαδαριές - Klatharies" 9th Kindergarden of Kalamaria

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"Κλαδαριές - Klatharies" 9th Kindergarden of Kalamaria

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In Siatista, which is a town in West Macedonia, every 23rd of December, they Have the tradition of Klatharies. The tradition says that the branches are in memory of the fire that the shepherds lit in the manger of the divine infant. Fifty branches are lit in all the neighborhoods and squares of the city. The lighting of the first branch is done in the late afternoon by the mayor of the city, while the local brass bands play the "carols". As soon as the branches are extinguished, the children organize groups and go around the houses of relatives and friends singing carols.

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Το πιο γλυκό  γλύκισμα των Χριστουγέννων!!

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Το πιο γλυκό  γλύκισμα των Χριστουγέννων!!

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Ξεροτήγανα

Throughout almost the entire Crete, the most authentic Christmas dessert was xerotigana.

It is a dessert with simple ingredients but an elaborate way of making it. That is why recently few –older- housewives make it at home. It is a dessert from a time when people valued more the expense of the ingredients of a food or dessert and less the effort and their art…

51 Kindergarten School of Heraclion

Xristinaki Despoina

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3rd Kindergarten Kamatero Greece "The custom of burning yew (pournari) - Το έθιμο του πουρναριού"

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3rd Kindergarten Kamatero Greece "The custom of burning yew (pournari) - Το έθιμο του πουρναριού"

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In Epirus in order to honour and remember the sheperds who visited the newborn Jesus in the middle of the night, burn a yew or bay leaves. Nowadays people visiting friends and relatives carry bay leaves and throw them in the fireplace wishing good luck and health to the family.

Στην Ήπειρο σε ανάμνηση της επίσκεψης των βοσκών στο θείο βρέφος, που έκαψαν ένα ξερό πουρνάρι για να βλέπουν , καίνε φύλλα δάφνης τα οποία τα πετούν στο τζάκι στα σπίτια που επισκέπτονται. Η ευχή που δίνουν είναι η εξής:" Αρνιά, κατσίκια, νύφες και γαμπρούς"

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3rd Kindergarten Kamatero Greece "The custom of burning yew - pournari" Το καμμένο πουρνάρι.

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3rd Kindergarten Kamatero Greece "The custom of burning yew - pournari" Το καμμένο πουρνάρι.

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In Epirus Greece the custom of burning yew symbolizes the shepherds who visited newborn Jesus, in the middle of the night . The burning yew helped them see in the dark. In some places people burn bay leaves. Nowadays, friends visiting another house, throw bay leaves in the fire place, wishing good luck.

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51o Kindergarten School of Heraclion, Xristinaki Despoina

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The Christmas tradition of making Xerotigana 

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The Christmas tradition of making Xerotigana 

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In almost all of Crete, the most authentic Christmas dessert is xerotigana.

Are usually made with puff pastry, honey and walnuts and are a popular custom in many regions of Greece during Christmas.

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In Greece, because there is a lot of sea, besides a Christmas tree, we also decorate Christmas ships. We usually make them from wood we find in the sea and white cloth and put lights. In our Kindergarten, we made a boat out of blue paper, painted it and decorated it with colored pom poms instead of lights! Merry Christmas!

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In Greece, because there is a lot of sea, besides a Christmas tree, we also decorate Christmas ships. We usually make them from wood we find in the sea and white cloth and put lights. In our Kindergarten, we made a boat out of blue paper, painted it and decorated it with colored pom poms instead of lights! Merry Christmas!

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In Greece, because there is a lot of sea, besides a Christmas tree, we also decorate Christmas ships. We usually make them from wood we find in the sea and white cloth and put lights. In our Kindergarten, we made a boat out of blue paper, painted it and decorated it with colored pom poms instead of lights! Merry Christmas!

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Kindergarden of Andravida's Air Force Base.

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Kindergarden of Andravida's Air Force Base.

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Kourabies is a very famous Greek Christmas treat. It's basically a butter biscuit covered in powdered sugar. It's delicious and you definetely have to try it! Our students had so much fun making these treats!

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Blue and Green Illustrative Merry Christmas Student Greetings Video

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Kindergarden of Andravida's Air Force Base.

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Kindergarden of Andravida's Air Force Base.

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"Kourabiedes" is a very famous Greek Christmas treat. It's basically butter biscuits covered with powdered sugar! Such a delicious treat you have to try it!

Our students had such an amazing time making kourabiedes!

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Blue and Green Illustrative Merry Christmas Student Greetings Video

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The festive table, next to the Christmas tree, includes traditional Greek sweets, such as melomakarona and kourabiedes. Children tend to wander around the neighborhoods singing carols.

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Kindergartens can also organize the baking of gingerbread cookies: with the help of nannies and under the watchful eye of adults in the kitchen, the baking sheets can be changed. Each child has approx. I usually give small dumplings kneaded dough. They can work on their thoroughly cleaned tables (precisely because the dough does not stick, we wipe the surface of the table after work and it is again grease-free), but we can also get a wax canvas for this occasion. The children can show off in a pretty little apron, thorough hand washing and rolling up of sleeves is a must before work!

We usually put flour in a flat container in the middle of the table, so that every busy child can easily reach it while working. This is important, as the edge of the molds and the edge of the knife must be floured so that the cut-out shape is easy to handle. It is equally important to thinly flour the rolled out dough. It's a joy to see how they knead and shape this well-textured mass with their little hands! The rest of the dough is kneaded again and we can practically use up to the last crumb. After all, even the smallest piece of dough can be shaped into a small ball, which can be used to place eyes or a nose on a figure.

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2nd Kindergarten of Ampelonas, Larissa    Thessaly - Τhe New Year's meat pie

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2nd Kindergarten of Ampelonas, Larissa    Thessaly - Τhe New Year's meat pie

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A pie connected to the tradition of Thessaly is the New Year's meat pie, made with layers of filo pastry (very thin dough) and a filling of pork, lamp and veal. It is cut at New Year's Day and its pieces are distributed to each member of the family.

In the pie there is the golden coin (Flouri), that someone could find and be the lucky person of the year.  But this is not the only surprise in the pie. According to the custom in the past years, people used to hide also products related to the work of the family members, such as vine, corn, straw, ilex.

The type of product that someone could find, determined the assumption of the corresponding responsibilities. So, the one who found the vine was in charge of working on the vines, the one who found the wheat took over the agricultural work etc.

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On Christmas Eve in some areas of Greece, people go with gifts to the fountain of the village square to get the unspoken water. When they reach the fountain, they leave their gifts saying "as the water runs in our fountain, so may good things run in us too!" Then they fill their jug with water and return home without saying a word! With the unspoken water they make the yeast of the bread for the entire year. From the first yeast the Christmas bread is made

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GRĂDINIȚA "LUMEA PITICILOR" DEJ, ROMANIA- ANA ȘOMCUTEAN

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GRĂDINIȚA "LUMEA PITICILOR" DEJ, ROMANIA- ANA ȘOMCUTEAN

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Capra (Goat walking) is the name given to a traditional Romanian New Year's dance. It is executed by a lad masked as a goat and dressed with a husk on his back. The goat and her companions go from house to house, dancing at each one's door on New Year's Eve.

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Kindergartens can also organize the baking of gingerbread cookies: with the help of nannies and under the watchful eye of adults in the kitchen, the baking sheets can be changed. Each child has approx. I usually give small dumplings kneaded dough. They can work on their thoroughly cleaned tables (precisely because the dough does not stick, we wipe the surface of the table after work and it is again grease-free), but we can also get a wax canvas for this occasion. The children can show off in a pretty little apron, thorough hand washing and rolling up of sleeves is a must before work!

We usually put flour in a flat container in the middle of the table, so that every busy child can easily reach it while working. This is important, as the edge of the molds and the edge of the knife must be floured so that the cut-out shape is easy to handle. It is equally important to thinly flour the rolled out dough. It's a joy to see how they knead and shape this well-textured mass with their little hands! The rest of the dough is kneaded again and we can practically use up to the last crumb. After all, even the smallest piece of dough can be shaped into a small ball, which can be used to place eyes or a nose on a figure.

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Νηπιαγωγείο Ανάληψης- Kindergarten of Analipsi

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Vasilopita is the sweet symbol of the New Year and is associated with the feast of Saint Vasilios, from whom it takes its name.

It is mainly fermented with flour, eggs, sugar and milk and on its surface, is written the number of the new year. The most fancy part of it, is the hidden coin inside the dough, which whoever finds it during the distribution of the Vasilopita, will be the lucky one of the year!

The Vasilopita is cut and distributed on the night of New Year's Eve or on New Year's Day. The general order is given by the head of the house, who, after making a cross, cuts and distributes the pieces of the pie to the members of his family and any guests, while special pieces are set aside for Christ, the Virgin Mary and the house.

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Activites with parents- Grădinița cu P.P. Neghiniță, Cluj- Napoca- România

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Activites with parents- Grădinița cu P.P. Neghiniță, Cluj- Napoca- România

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Activities with parents have many benefits for the whole family. First, they can strengthen the bond between parents and children. By participating in various activities together, you will create special memories and have the chance to get to know each other better. Moreover, such activities can develop children's social skills and encourage open communication in the family. In conclusion, an activity with parents at Christmas is an invaluable opportunity to create unforgettable memories and strengthen the bonds between family members in a special way. The benefits of this tradition are not only limited to the present moment, but have a long-term positive impact on family relationships. Each year, you will have the opportunity to recreate and enhance these unique moments, which will further strengthen the bonds between you.

So during this magical time of Christmas, consider organizing a special day dedicated to family activities. With love, joy and involvement, you will create not only beautiful memories, but also a sense of closeness and family connection that will stay with you throughout your life.

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In Portugal, Christmas trees, lights, and wreaths are common, though the nativity scene often holds greater symbolic value in Portuguese homes. We decided to share some curiosities about how we celebrate this festive season.

Consoada (Christmas Eve Dinner)

Main Meal: Families gather on the night of December 24th for a special dinner. The traditional dish is bacalhau com todos (salted cod with boiled potatoes, cabbage, and eggs).

Desserts: After dinner, an array of sweets is served, including:

Bolo-rei or Bolo-rainha: A king or queen cake filled with candied fruit or nuts.

Filhós or Sonhos: Fried dough sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon.

Rabanadas: Similar to French toast, made with bread, milk, and eggs (as seen in the picture).

Religious Customs

Missa do Galo (Midnight Mass): Many families attend the "Rooster's Mass" at midnight to celebrate the birth of Christ. Some parishes have reenactments of the nativity.

Dia de Natal (Christmas Day)

Christmas Day is for relaxing and enjoying leftovers from the Consoada. Roast meats, particularly cabrito assado (roast goat or lamb), are common for the main meal. Families exchange gifts, either after midnight Mass or on Christmas morning.

Post-Christmas Celebrations

Janeiras: In early January, groups of people go door-to-door singing songs to bring in the New Year, often receiving small treats or money in return.

Epiphany (Dia de Reis): On January 6th, some families celebrate the arrival of the Three Wise Men, marking the end of the Christmas season.

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Aqueça o leite com os 100 g de açúcar, a casca de limão e os paus de canela, sem deixar ferver. Retire do lume e reserve. Demolhe as fatias de pão no leite morno. Reserve. Envolva cada fatia de pão no ovo previamente batido, à medida que for fritando.

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At Christmas, we decorate the tree, we prepare sausages, cakes, we wait for Santa Claus, we go to church, we give gifts, we eat as a family, we have school parties, we go with the star.

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At Christmas we decorate the tree, make cakes, give gifts, have school parties, eat as a family, create cards, wait for Santa Claus.

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Grădinița cu Program Prelungit nr.30 Ploiești, România 

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The main favorite custom of the little ones is decorating the tree and creating a magical moment with the family. On this occasion, in our kindergarten we organized a "Christmas Fair", in which the whole kindergarten was decorated in a festive manner, and in each group different activities took place, such as: writing letters to Santa Claus, decorating the trees, creative workshop with drawings and messages for Santa Claus, market with goodies and decorations, cakes, popcorn, cotton wool on a stick, tea and good cheer for all participants. This moment gave parents the opportunity to visit the entire kindergarten, to have contact with all the teaching staff of the school unit and to participate in this magical moment of celebration.

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A very old tradition of our country are the Goblins called “Kalikantzaroi” .All year long they live in the earth and saw the trunk of the tree that supports it. On Christmas Eve, when the trunk only needs an ax to fall, they go out into the ground to have fun waiting for it to fall on its own. They are very naughty and they like games... But they can't hurt us, only tease us, annoy us and scare us because they are kind of...foolish! They appear and do their pranks only at night. As soon as the rooster crows, i.e. as soon as dawn begins, they run to hide. They are very fast and agile. They jump from tree to tree and from roof to roof and break the tiles, dirty the spread clothes. If they get a chance they get down from the chimneys and do everything up and down. They first eat everything they can find, and then they dirty the house, spill the fresh milk, tangle the threads, unravel the knitting. They are great dancers too! If they find a man out at night they make him dance until he falls down.On Epiphany day they must leave the earth because they are very afraid of the Holy Water. They go back again where they find the trunk of the tree that makes the earth whole again and so they start the sawing all over again….

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Λάχανα και Χάχανα - Καλικάντζαροι | Official Music Video (HQ)

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A very old tradition of our country are the Goblins called "Kalikantzaroi" . All year long they live in the earth and saw the trunk of the tree that supports it. On Christmas Eve, when the trunk only needs an ax to fall, they go out into the ground to have some fun waiting for it to fall on its own.They are very naughty and they like games... But they can't hurt us, only tease us, annoy us and scare us because they are kind of...foolish!On Epiphany day they must leave the earth because they are very afraid of the Holy Water.They go back again where they find the trunk of the tree that makes the earth whole again and so they start the sawing all over again….

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Today in our school 10th Kozanis Kindergarden with the help of the members of the association "FRIENDS OF TRADITION" we all made together the traditional Kozanis Christmas recipe "Yaprakia" with the main ingredients being minced meat wrapped in sauerkraut leaves. We wrote and illustrated the recipe and then the children made it with their little hands their own Yaprakia with corrugated paper and popcorn which they put in our own ecological pot made of cardboard in order to be cooked......

It was a wonderful and enjoyable event for all of us and we had a really great time...

Merry Christmas to all of you from the kids and the teachers stuff of 10th Kozanis Kindergarden.

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2nd Kindergarten of N. Lampsakos,Greece -Our Kindergarten Christmas Tradition: "The Wishing Tree"

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2nd Kindergarten of N. Lampsakos,Greece -Our Kindergarten Christmas Tradition: "The Wishing Tree"

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Our Kindergarten Christmas Tradition: The Wishing Tree

We are very pleased to present to you a special Christmas tradition of our kindergarten, which cultivates creativity, cooperation and hope for the new year. Every year, during the festive season, our students decorate the "Christmas Wishing Tree".

The process is special and full of love: each child makes an ornament with their own hands, on which they write a wish for the new year. This wish can concern family, friends, or even the whole world. The ornaments are full of color, imagination and emotion, and every year our tree becomes a symbolic work of art that reflects the dreams and hopes of the children.

This year, the parents of our children also participated in the action. At home, together with their children, they created the ornaments and wrote their wishes. This collaboration strengthened the parent-child relationship, while offering a unique opportunity to share beautiful moments. Afterwards, the parents visited our school and, together with the children, decorated the “Wishing Tree”.

The moment when we all gathered around the tree was magical. The wishes of the children and their families hung on its branches, creating a symbol of hope, love and solidarity.

This custom is not only a Christmas activity, but also an opportunity for children to learn the importance of wishing, cooperation and creativity. It also offers families the opportunity to actively participate in their children’s school life.

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Το δέντρο των ευχών (2)

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2nd Kindergarten of Nea Lampsakos - Greece - Traditional Christmas "DIPLES"!!!

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2nd Kindergarten of Nea Lampsakos - Greece - Traditional Christmas "DIPLES"!!!

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"DIPLES" are traditional Christmas sweets, made with dough, which is folded into various shapes. Then, they are fried in hot oil, drizzled with honey, flavored with cinnamon and sprinkled with grated walnuts!!! They are extremely tasty and color our festive days with tradition!!!

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ΑΦΙΣΑ ΔΙΠΛΕΣ

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2nd Kindergarten of N. Lampsakos, Greece- Custom of " Chirosfagia"

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2nd Kindergarten of N. Lampsakos, Greece- Custom of " Chirosfagia"

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One of the old customs of Evia is the “pig slaughtering”. “Chirosfagia” is an old custom related to the preparation of the Christmas table. Families would gather to slaughter the pig, a process that was accompanied by songs, feasting and a sense of united community. Nothing went to waste from the pig – sausages, cured meats, and other products were prepared for winter needs.

On Christmas Day, pork had a central place on the festive table, often cooked with orange or celery, and accompanied by local delicacies such as pies and sweets.

This custom highlights the importance of family, cooperation and abundance during the holidays, values ​​that we want to share with our young students and our project partners.

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Το δέντρο των ευχών

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2nd Kindergarten of Nea Lampsakos - Greece - THE BREAKING OF THE POMEGRANATE!!!

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2nd Kindergarten of Nea Lampsakos - Greece - THE BREAKING OF THE POMEGRANATE!!!

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A custom we have on New Year's Day is the "BREAKING OF THE POMEGRANATE"!!! Before the time changes, the head of the house goes outside to be the first to enter his house, to do "Podariko"!!! "So when the time changes, the head of the house knocks on the door of his house and after they open it, he breaks the pomegranate on the threshold, saying in a loud voice wishes for health, prosperity, joy, love, peace, happiness, good luck and rich mercies, in the new year that has come!!!

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Δίπλες - Νηπιαγωγείο Κάστρο

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Δίπλες - Νηπιαγωγείο Κάστρο

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One of the most special Greek sweets for the holidays, "δίπλες" is a Greek dessert whose main ingredient is a thin dough. "Δίπλες" come from the Peloponnese. They are flavored with cinnamon and chopped walnuts are added. The dough is folded into various shapes, fried in hot oil and finally soaked in honey. "Δίπλες" can come in a variety of shapes, but the most common are spirals, bows, and flowers.

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"Χριστόψωμο"

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"Χριστόψωμο"

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2ο Πειραματικό Νηπιαγωγείο Λεχαινών

"Christbread", or "Χριστόψωμο", as we call it, is the bread that believers make with special care and patience, on the eve of Christmas. We eat this bread at the festive Christmas table. It is considered blessed, since this will support the life of the householder and his family.

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αρχείο λήψης (1)

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Primary School Of Kechrinia

We are preparing traditional Christmas cookies.

A recipe of many years from Amfilochia.

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Aikaterini Arvaniti- Pomegranate breaking for good luck

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Aikaterini Arvaniti- Pomegranate breaking for good luck

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Οne of the New Year traditions is to break a pomegranate for good luck.

The first person who enters the house on New Year’s Day breaks a pomegranate at the front door saying: "May the New Year bring you health, happiness and joy; May we have as much money in our pockets throughout the year as the seeds this pomegranate has".

OR

"May the days that the New Year brings with it be as happy and blessed as strong and beautiful the seeds are".

The pomegranate symbolizes flow and power, it is the fruit of life and good luck. By searching one will find out it’s rooted in ancient Greek culture, where they believed that its seeds symbolized abundance, perhaps because of their quantity, fertility, eternity, but also good luck.

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As every year, during the Advent period, the children of the "Kittens" group of Kaunas kindergarten "Nežiniukas" decorate the Advent wreath and the Christmas tree. The Advent calendar helps children count the days until Christmas. This year, they hear a new fairy tale every day.

Kaunas kindergarten "Nežiniukas" Lithuania, group "Kačiukai"

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As every year, during the Advent period, the children of the "Kittens" group of Kaunas kindergarten "Nežiniukas" decorate the Advent wreath and the Christmas tree. The Advent calendar helps children count the days until Christmas. This year, they hear a new fairy tale every day.

Kaunas kindergarten "Nežiniukas", Lithuania, group "Kačiukai"

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Zamfir Cristina, Kindergarten no.1 Voluntari, Ilfov, Romania

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Zamfir Cristina, Kindergarten no.1 Voluntari, Ilfov, Romania

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"Sorcova" is a traditional Romanian custom, part of the New Year's celebrations, particularly on January 1st . This custom is an integral part of Romanian folklore, and it involves children (called "sorcovitori") going from house to house, wishing health, prosperity, and good harvests to the people they visit in exchange for small gifts, such as fruits, money, or sweets.

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Kolida Babbo- "Κόλιντα Μπάμπω"- Maria Papadopoulou-Kindergarden of Kali-Greece!

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Kolida Babbo- "Κόλιντα Μπάμπω"- Maria Papadopoulou-Kindergarden of Kali-Greece!

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In Pella, the custom of "Kolinda Babbo" is being revived, which is related to the massacre of Herod. The residents of the area light bonfires at night, shouting "kolinda babbo", meaning "they are killing me grandma". According to custom, bonfires are lit to let people know about the carnage and to protect themselves.

This custom takes place every year on 23 December!

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Cristmasbread is a blessed bread made by housewives on Christmas Eve.Necessarily on top they placed the cross and around it various ornaments of dough different in every part of Greece. At Christmas the landlord would crucify it,cut it and distribute it to those who were at Christmas table.

Kindergarten of Tragano-2nd classroom,Greece

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Cristmasbread is a blessed bread made by housewives on Christmas Eve.Necessarily on top they placed the cross and around it various ornaments of dough different in every part of Greece. At Christmas the landlord would crucify it,cut it and distribute it to those who were at Christmas table.

Kindergarten of Tragano-2nd classroom, Greece.

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Kindergarten of Monovrisi Serres Greece.

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Kindergarten of Monovrisi Serres Greece.

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Christmas in Serres is accompanied by rich traditions rooted in local customs and Orthodox faith. Children sing carols with triangles or other musical instruments, receiving sweets or money in return. The region is renowned for its festive aromas, with kourabiedes, melomakarona, and diples taking center stage. The decoration of Christmas trees and illuminated squares enhances the holiday spirit. Finally, attending the Christmas Divine Liturgy is a significant moment for the residents, filling their hearts with devotion and joy.

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Στρογγύλη Αλεξάνδρα Kindergarten of Mon;ovrisi Serres

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Στρογγύλη Αλεξάνδρα Kindergarten of Mon;ovrisi Serres

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Christmas in Serres is accompanied by rich traditions rooted in local customs and Orthodox faith. Children sing carols with triangles or other musical instruments, receiving sweets or money in return. The region is renowned for its festive aromas, with kourabiedes, melomakarona, and diples taking center stage. The decoration of Christmas trees and illuminated squares enhances the holiday spirit. Finally, attending the Christmas Divine Liturgy is a significant moment for the residents, filling their hearts with devotion and joy.

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"We are delighted to present the children of Makry Gialos Kindergarten, performing the traditional Christmas carols of Crete. With their authentic local dialect and the accompaniment of traditional Cretan instruments – lute, Cretan lyra, and daouli – they offer a unique experience of our rich cultural heritage, bringing the magic of Crete closer to you.

Traditionally, these carols were sung on Christmas Eve, when children would go from house to house, singing wishes for the New Year. Homeowners welcomed them with joy, offering sweets, nuts, or small amounts of money as a token of gratitude for their blessings."

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Κάλαντα Κρήτης

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7ο PRIMARY SCHOOL N. IONIAS, MELISSATIKA, GREECE

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7ο PRIMARY SCHOOL N. IONIAS, MELISSATIKA, GREECE

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Every year we decorate our Christmas tree. This year we decided to decorate an eco tree, with eco ornaments, determined to help our environment as much as we can.
Our eco tree is ready! We used a wooden pallet, painted it with eco colors and made ornaments with eco plaster and mold. We also painted and created paper structures. It was something new for all of us and we really liked it.

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In Greece ,on Christmas Eve, children go from house to house singing kalanda, traditional carols accompanied by triangles and drums. They receive sweets, dried fruits, or coins as a reward.Each region of Greece has its own traditional carols. In this video, you will hear our students singing the carols of the Peloponnese.

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ΚΑΛΑΝΤΑ ΠΕΛΟΠΟΝΝΗΣΟΥ

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SPROUHNI a New Year's day custom from Neochori.

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SPROUHNI a New Year's day custom from Neochori.

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1st kindergarten of Neochori

In our village we hove a custom called SPROUHNI. Every new year's morning children go near the fireplace and puss the ashes and the fire telling SPROUHNI and the names of the family and their possessions (animals,fields) .This way it is believed that all the bad things go away and good things come to the family.

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Andreea Moldoveanu - Our Christmas traditions

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Andreea Moldoveanu - Our Christmas traditions

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In Romania, there are many traditions related to the Christian holiday of Christmas. At the kindergarten, we honor Christmas with themed celebrations, and one of the most popular themes is the "Șezătoare de Crăciun", where children dressed in traditional costumes, consisting of a traditional shirt and a skirt  or trousers, and perform different roles - weavers, plow workers, musicians, etc., and they say poems dedicated to this holiday but also Christian carols - The star is rising, Today Christ was born, Open the door, Christian, etc. These themed celebrations end with a popular dance in which all the children and teachers gather in a circle, and also everyone is served with chosen dishes specific to the Christmas holiday - Cozonac, pies, cakes, pretzels, etc.

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On the eve of Christmas, housewives make the traditional Christmas bread.
Its difference with normal bread is the shape and the designs on it.

In addition to the dough cross that decorates the bread in the middle, the housewives decorated it with various designs and dedicated it to the birth of Christ.

Kindergarten Chavariou, Greece

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These Greek Christmas sugar-dusted cookies, made with butter and almonds signify the beginning of Christmas time.

Kindergarten of Tragano - 1st classroom,Greece

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Saxoni Eleni - Kindergarten of Ano Volimes - Zakynthos

Christmas was always a more important celebration in Zakynthos than New Year's. Children would go out after sunset with lanterns and sing carols.

The families who welcomed them into their homes would have raisins, walnuts or some other simple sweet and treat the little children, because back then there was not much money, but neither were sweets. Also, the decorations were simpler in the old days.

The Christmas bread or kouloura was cut all over Zakynthos on Christmas Eve. The same custom is preserved to this day. It contained local flour, cinnamon cloves, oil, wine, anise and was shaped with sesame. They would put as many whole walnuts on top as there were people.

The official and traditional dish on the Christmas menu was the avgolemono (veal or chicken) and this has remained to this day. Also essential were the local olive oil cheese, plenty of homemade red wine and in the middle of the table the Christmas bread.

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POP ROȘCA LENUȚA CRISTINA Școala Gimnazială”Sf. Andrei” localitatea Sărmaș județul Harghita România

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POP ROȘCA LENUȚA CRISTINA Școala Gimnazială”Sf. Andrei” localitatea Sărmaș județul Harghita România

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One of our traditions in the area is to sing carols to our parents in the group. We prepare Christmas carols and wishes for the New Year, after which we go from house to house to all the parents of the children in the group to sing them carols. Another tradition involves the organization of a meeting every year in which the children present to the locality traditions and holiday traditions

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MARTIKA SOULTANA DIAVATOU KINDERGARTEN
The decorated boat is a Greek custom. During the Christmas holidays, it was decorated in houses and squares, before being replaced by the Christmas tree. In recent years, many municipalities have brought back the custom, decorating the squares during the holidays with ships instead of fir trees or by decorating both.
According to tradition, the boat was decorated because the Greeks have always had ties to the sea, since ancient times. Also, many adults and children worked on the ships to bring money and bread to their families, even on holidays. The boat symbolized not only the children's anticipation of being reunited with their relatives, but also their own love for the sea.
PHOTO SOURCE https://www.kinderella.gr/ena-christougenniatiko-ethimo-gia-kathe/

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10th Kindergarten of Kozani, Greece: "yaprakia"

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10th Kindergarten of Kozani, Greece: "yaprakia"

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We are preparing the Kozani traditional Christmas dish "yaprakia"! Every Christmas in the households of all of Kozani and in its kitchens we make a special food - Kozani meze, prepared with cabbage - it is called armia and it symbolizes the sprouts of our little Christ!

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KINDERGARTEN WITH EXTENDED PROGRAM NO. 12, MEDIAS -ROMANIA                                                          PĂPARĂ ADINA MARIA

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The Christmas meal is one of our traditions, which is respected every year.

At the Christmas meal, families gather to share traditional dishes such as sarmales, roast pork, salads, scones and piftie. It is a hearty meal, in which the tradition of not eating until the beginning of the Christmas holiday is respected.