On Christmas Eve, everyone goes to church; children around the villages travel from … Traditional Greek Christmas Sweets. Christmas traditions in Greece. Christmas Customs in Greece are many as this holiday is vividly celebrated. Over the years we notice a universal culture developing as the western European customs spread more and more change. Christmas traditions in Greece. Most of the Christmas traditions in Greece are more or less similar to the West. A popular tradition is small village children travelling from house to house on Christmas Eve singing 'kalanda', the equivalent of Christmas carols and offering their good wishes. … For example, the Greek tradition involves decorating a model ship, … Often, they go door to door to sing on Christmas Eve, New Years Eve, and on the eve of Epiphany. They also eat pomegranate at Christmas. In Greece, the Christmas period lasts 14 days, officially beginning on Christmas Eve and ending on 6 January with Epiphany Greece is a country that has a lot to tell and that can satisfy even the most demanding travellers, not only for its historical vestiges and its paradisiacal beaches, but also for its strong ties to traditions that emerge especially during religious festivities. Top 15 Greek Christmas and New Year Customs and Traditions. In return they recieve dried figs, almonds, walnuts, lots of sweets, coins, small gifts and other tokens of appreciation. As you can see below the little boy is holding a traditional Greek Christmas boat and the carol mentions Saint Basil of Caesarea. Author. In Greece they are called ‘kalanta’. Greek people have their own Santa clause named as saint Vasilis. The Eptanisa as they are called in Greek (a seven-island group in the Ionian Sea) bring their own traditions to every season, Christmas included, and this Karythopita walnut spice cake is one. Greek Christmas Customs & Traditions: Vasilopita, Greek New Year’s Cake. According to the folk Christmas traditions, the hobgoblins are short, ugly creatures with many deformities. In Greece, the Christmas holidays last from Christmas Eve until the celebrations of Epiphany on January 6. Greek Christmas Traditions . … Most holidays in Greece are celebrated traditionally, and Christmas in no exception. You don’t need to live in Greece to enjoy any of these traditions. From decorating their boats and trees, the Greeks follow many Christmas traditions. December 24, 2020. Usually, the celebration of Christmas in Greece spread over 12 days starting from Christmas day and continues to 6 th January. All year round, they live underground and saw the tree of the year. Merry Christmas in Greece is a religious holiday enjoyed by everyone. You all know that Greece is famous for its history and sunny days, so we have the first out of the three points. With its different regions, each with unique Christmas traditions, Greece is definitely worth discovering during the colder months.From the slopes of the north to the rugged plains of central Greece, through the shores of sunny Crete, here is a list of things to do at this festive time of year. You can incorporate them into your holiday traditions no matter where you live! Christmas celebration is Greece have gotten glamours over the years and the Christmas holiday period lasts 12 days in Greece and includes Christmas, New Year and Epiphany. The Greek Herald. Christmas traditions in Greece are followed by younger and older generations, but traditions range significantly in the different regions in Greece. I love traditions and I wish you shared with us a Christmas custom from your country that’s special to you! It’s rather a luncheon that takes place between 14:00 and 15:00 with the (large) family alone. You’ll have a great and happy time with a lot of good food and entertainment. Greek Christmas traditions: Kalanda: Carol singing. You need to know the traditions and conventions of a nation to have the capacity to completely comprehend its kin. However, there are many common Christmas customs, such as the Christmas tree, the 40-days fasting before Christmas and the Christmas Carols sung in every neighborhood in Greece these days. Recipes – Traditional Greek Christmas Sweets and Desserts – kourabiedes – Melomakarona – Diples – Baklava – Christopso. Also popular is bread called Christopsomo that […] Christmas preparations begin in December. Christmas traditions in Greece. Next story Kourabiedes, Melomakarona, Diples, Baklava and Christopsomo: Traditional Greek Christmas Sweets; Previous story My Big Fat Greek Family Christmas, and … Like any great tradition, it has evolved through time. In some cases, it caused the elimination of local customs in certain areas - even entire countries. Greek Christmas Customs & Traditions: Vasilopita, Greek New Year’s Cake. Its rich history and cultural heritage are reflected in its many holiday tradition! There is no Christmas dinner in Greece. Made with the seasonal favorites of cinnamon, cloves, and walnuts, the cake is baked then soaked in a spiced syrup. The custom … These are just few of the Christmas traditions and customs reviving in Greece. Christmas is usually celebrated with family and in the privacy of people’s homes. Link successfully copied to the clipboard. A walk in the towns and villages of Greece during Christmas will bring you to decorated squares, streets, shops and houses. Roast pork is the traditional Christmas meal during Christmas in Greece. The majority of Greek Orthodox followers see Christmas as a secondary holiday, and this is reflected in the way that Greek traditions have been somewhat watered down by international festive ideas. Greece is a country where traditions and customs are a part of everyday life. Then the rest of the cake is cut in pieces for the members of the family by order of age. Decorating Boats. Depending on the part of the country you visit, you will find some truly amazing stories. Date. 3rd Primary School of Chalastra Class A’ Christmas In Greece Christmas (25/12) is a very special celebration as for Christians – the majority of population – symbolizes the born of Christ (Christians’ god) Christmas and New Year’s Eve Christmas holidays includes the celebration of New Year’s coming, too. Greece has been known for its own Christmas traditions which are being followed from the past many decades. Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto. Most of these customs and traditions date from the early Christian times or they are even continuations of ancient Greek customs. The decorating of Christmas trees became a tradition in Greece in 1833. Different Christmas traditions in Europe were always interesting to me. To the members of the Greek Orthodox Church, Christmas comes in second after Easter. The most popular ones are the decoration of the Christmas boat, the Kalenda (Greek Christmas carols), Vasilopita, and smashing the pomegranate. Here are some facts about Greek Christmas celebrations, traditions and customs. Roots, places, manners and customs… Greek civilisation isn’t just about monuments and myth . The people of Greece like to decorate their boats on Christmas. The key element is decorating: the streets, the squares, the houses, they are all full of Christmas lights and of course, we follow the long-established tradition of decorating a Christmas tree. Greek Santa … 10 Christmas Facts About Greece 1) The Christmas Boat Apart from vasilopita, there are … Throughout Christmas holidays there are several Christmas traditions that are celebrated throughout Greece. Kalanda: Carol Singing – Greek Christmas Traditions. Next story In Limbo: Filling in Time – Plus wonderful Quotes on the Subject by Wonderful People; Previous … Today Christmas in Greece … Apart from a tree, it is also possible to come across a decorated boat; you may think there is something … … Most towns and villages like to decorate with lots of lights, bells and angels. Christmas in Greece, or "the holidays," are not what they were 40 years ago. As long as it takes to eat a Greek salad. However, this is not to say that Christmas isn’t widely celebrated with unique traditions. Link successfully copied to the clipboard. In this post, we will explore some Greek traditions in order for … CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS IN CRETE AND GREECE . Endless Greek Christmas Traditions Unveiled. It’s difficult to differentiate the traditions between Greece and Cyprus because they are merely the same. They believe that he comes to their homes on the occasion of Christmas to give small gifts to the children. People like to eat special sweets like Melomakarona. What does Greece eat for Christmas? If you’re planning a Christmas visit to my country, one thing is for sure! By Zoe. Category. Greece has some Christmas traditions that are uniquely Greek, and most of them come from the rich folklore of the countryside. Greece seems like a poor Christmas destination and you probably landed on this page in the search of interesting things to experience because you are ‘stuck’ in the country. And Athens , home to almost half of Greece’s population, is the perfect Christmas destination, where fully decorated, festively lit streets and squares in a glamorous westernised style blend with Greek traditions and customs. I’m often asking people to describe me some unique customs typical for their countries. Here are some of the top Greek Christmas traditions that you can enjoy: The time has come to take in not more than a few moments more about the Christmas customs in Greece. Christmas is practically around the bend and is commended in various courses the world over, shifting by nation and area. Customs whose origins are lost in the mists of time and cultural practices that have been observed since Homer’s day. Christmas Traditions in Greece . So, when you’re travelling, it’s a bit hard to learn about them. Going to the church on Christmas Eve and Christmas … Friends or guests in Christmas table are an exception to the rule. Christmas is one of the main holidays in Greece, and it is truly a magical time. Modern Christmas is not an entirely new set of traditions — many of them are borrowed from antiquity. Culture History. By Billy Patramanis. … Even pagan Greece and Rome had their versions of Christmas. Therefore, my intention with this post is to guide you through the unique Christmas traditions of my country. From Christmas until the Epiphany Day (January 6th), they come up to the world and tease people with many pranks. Here are five of the less-known Christmas and New Year traditions around Greece, from the Greek goblins to Saint Basil, and some more odd customs too! And of course all the Greek Christmas treats, which every household prepares during the festive season. In the Greek tradition ( especially in the islands ) it is common to ornament a ship instead of a tree for Christmas. According to Greek Christmas traditions every year after midnight on New Year’s Eve the householder cuts the cake into pieces. Christmas traditions in Greece 15/11/2014 15/11/2014 Steve 0 Σχόλια F estivity Melodies , children fiction , fragrances from household kitchens , bonfires , bells , gambling boats Santa Clause and Christmas trees , costumes and goblins , these days give their own unique color to all areas, but even in the small pockets of Greek territory . Greece isn’t just a summer destination. Greece has been known for serving Christmas … Related. READING TIME. Traditions in Greece. What are Christmas traditions in Greece? This dates back to a time when Greek wives and children would decorate wooden … The main things that characterize a nation are its history, tradition, and culture. The locals pay tribute to the legendary past and create a bond with their forefathers. Related. The hobgoblins are known as kallikantzari in Greek. Greek Christmas Traditions. For Greeks, Easter is a more important tradition than Christmas. Christmas has been around in one form or another throughout the ages. 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