Name- panagiota karydaki Γ’1 2015 Christmas in Greece Name- panagiota karydaki Γ’1 2015

Christmas traditions in Greece Greeks start decorating their homes just a few days before Christmas when housewives will start making traditional Christmas sweets like ‘’Courabiedes ‘’ and ‘’melomakarona’’

Christmas decoration As elsewhere the Christmas tree is a recent innovation, and formerly a Christmas ship was decorated and had the place of the tree.

Singing carols On Christmas Eve ,the children travel from house to house offering good wishes and singing ‘’kalanda’’ .The children are frequently rewarded with sweets or some coins.

Singing carols

Christmas feast Preparing a "holiday table" means a soup, two or three main dishes covering the major meats and cooked in different ways, several salads, a couple of side dishes, lots of bread, cheeses, and of course, olives.In some places, women also make loaves of christopsomo ("christ bread"). 

Christmas feast

St. Nicholas  saint nicholas is important in Greece as he is the patron saint of sailors.  according to greek tradition, his clothes are drenched with brine (βρεγμένο με αλατόνερο), his beard drips with seawater, and his face is covered with perspiration because he has been working hard against the waves to reach sinking ships and rescue them from the angry sea

New year is coming!!  The 1st of january (st. Basil's day)  is the most special day for children since this is when they receive their presents. this is because father christmas is not st. nicholas/santa claus but Ayios Vasilis or st. Basil and so new year's day is also st. Basil's feast day

Vasilopita Vasilopita A special cake is eaten on this day called the "vasilopita" or st. Basil's pie in which a "flouri" or lucky coin has been added. the one who finds the "flouri" in their piece will have good luck all the forthcoming year.

The Epiphany ". Ta phota" or "the lights" as epiphany is called is celebrated on january 6th. In the orthodox church this feast is important as the baptism of Christ  All christmas decorations will be taken down on 8th january. This is also the time when children go back to school.

Christmas is a great annual festival and people that have never seen it should come to see it here in Greece.You should come to Greece at christmas because it’s fantastic !!!!