Christmas Traditions in Greece by Afroditi Malapani

Vassilopita / Βασιλόπιτα

amalapani — 2024-11-16 14:32:15 UTC

Vassilopita is a simple homemade pie. It is a traditional cake that is cut and served exactly when the year changes. Usually vassilopita is a cake with powdered sugar on top. We put a silver or gold coin inside which is called flouri (φλουρί). Whoever finds the flouri (φλουρί) in his piece, will have good luck for the whole year. According to tradition, vassilopita was a creation of Basil the Great from Caesarea. Basil the Great (Μέγας Βασίλειος), in order to distribute money to poor people, hid coins in pies. Then he offered these pies to poor people. Also, in Greece, Santa Claus is identified with Basil the Great from Caesarea.

Carols / Κάλαντα

amalapani — 2024-11-16 14:33:46 UTC

Carols are the songs of Christmas, New Year and Epiphany. Early in the morning, the children visit the houses in the neighborhood, knock on the door and ask: "Shall we sing? (Να τα πούμε;)". When the housekeepers open the door, they sing carols. The children also play a musical instrument, which is called triangle (τρίγωνο). In the Greek tradition, the triangle (τρίγωνο) is mainly used during the Christmas season, by children singing carols. In the end, the neighbors give them money or sweets and everyone wishes to have health. This custom takes place 3 times: Christmas Eve morning, New Year's Eve morning, and Epiphany Eve morning. The carols are different for every occasion. Also, carols differ from region to region throughout Greece.

Loukoumades / Λουκουμάδες

amalapani — 2024-11-16 14:34:36 UTC

One of the Christmas sweets is loukoumades. It's like a donut and we pour honey and walnuts on top.

Lalangia / Λαλάγγια

amalapani — 2024-11-16 14:35:18 UTC

One of the oldest customs in Greece the lalangia. The housewives gather on the evening of Christmas Eve to prepare the lalangia. Lalangia is a traditional food made with flour and water. It is kneaded, shaped and fried in oil. It is served with cheese.

Presents / Δώρα

amalapani — 2024-11-16 14:36:13 UTC

An important Christmas custom in our country is the exchange of presents. Children mainly receive many presents from their family, but also from Santa Claus, who, according to tradition, brings the presents from the chimney.

Ship decoration / Στολισμός καραβιού

amalapani — 2024-11-16 14:37:05 UTC

Decorating a ship during Christmas is a greek custom. The Greeks used to decorate a ship, instead of a tree, because Greece is a coastal country and has a navy. In this way, they symbolized the new direction that life would take. In Greece many men were sailors. When they left in their ships, they left their families and children behind. The children built their own toys, which were usually ships. This custom also symbolized the children's anticipation of being reunited with their relatives, but also their love for the sea. Little by little, the custom of decorating a ship was also established, but because it was associated with unpleasant memories, it could not be established as a festive symbol.

Count down / Αντίστροφη μέτρηση

amalapani — 2024-11-16 14:37:57 UTC

A custom is that on New Year's Eve we count down and when the time reaches 24:00, we turn off the lights, and open all the doors and windows so that the New Year can enter from wherever it wants.

Melomakarona / Μελομακάρονα

amalapani — 2024-11-16 14:38:53 UTC

One of the most famous Christmas sweets are melomakarona. Melomakarona is a Greek sweet made basically from flour, semolina, oil, orange juice and honey. It is a type of cookie that is quite soft because it is sprinkled with honey. When you taste it, you can perceive the smell and taste of cinnamon and cloves. At the end, we put grated walnut on top.

Kourambiedes / Κουραμπιέδες

amalapani — 2024-11-16 14:39:56 UTC

Kourabiedes is a very famous Christmas sweet. It is a cookie made from flour, almonds, butter and powdered sugar.

Christmas tree / Χριστουγεννιάτικο δέντρο

amalapani — 2024-11-16 14:40:46 UTC

We usually decorate our Christmas trees in early December. We decorate the Christmas tree with ornaments and lights. At the top of the tree we put a star and underneath we place presents. In addition, underneath the tree, we put a Christmas navity scene.

Santa Claus / Άγιος Βασίλης

amalapani — 2024-11-16 14:41:35 UTC

In Greece, Santa brings presents on New Year. Many times kids leave a letter for Santa under the tree. They also leave milk and cookies for Santa. Santa puts the presents under the Christmas tree, eats the cookies and drinks the milk. In the end, he climbs the chimney and leaves with the reindeer.

For Greeks, Santa Claus is identified with Basil the Great, who lived in Cappadocia and who devoted almost his entire life to helping fellow human beings. He is also considered in world history as the originator and first creator of organized charity.

Pomegranate / Ρόδι

amalapani — 2024-11-16 14:42:18 UTC

The pomegranate is a fruit that has been associated with good luck, fertility and abundance. On New Year's morning, the householder of each house takes a pomegranate to the church, to be blessed by the priest. When he returns home, he opens the door and breaks the pomegranate in front of the house's entrance. According to the custom, as the seeds of the pomegranate are scattered everywhere, the householder gives the wish: «health, happiness and joy in the New Year, and, as many seeds as the pomegranate has, so many pounds in our pocket throughout the year.» The custom says that the stronger and more beautiful the seeds are, the more happy and blessed will be the days that the New Year brings with it.

Christopsomo / Χριστόψωμο

amalapani — 2024-11-16 14:43:07 UTC

Christopsomo means the bread of Christ. Christospomo is the bread, that Greek housewives prepare 2 or 3 days before Christmas, especially for this great religious day. The only difference with the other breads is the rich decoration with various embroideries, called ploumidia (πλουμίδια). Many times housewives create the shape of their house. This bread is dedicated to the birth of Christ. And it is considered than Christ will turn the ploumidia (πλουμίδια) into a blessed reality.

Pork with celery / Χοιρινό με σέλινο

amalapani — 2024-11-23 17:26:41 UTC

One of the traditional foods we eat at Christmas is pork with celery. This food is a very old tradition in our country. Housewives prepare it for the family Christmas table. The main ingredients of the dish are pork and celery.