Christmas, in Greece, is one of the two most important holidays for all Greeks, (the other being Easter!).
And it is celebrated in every single home all over the country.
This is a holiday dedicated to close family and good friends, with lots of festive gatherings and meals.
The whole country dresses up in its festive outfit.
Christmas boats or trees are lit up in every single corner and house. Shops are decorated. Christmas lights are everywhere. The feeling is wonderful.
Greeks leave the big cities in most cases around the 23rd of December. With the majority of them going to join their families and friends. In the countryside or the islands.
Christmas Eve
This is when the festivities usually begin. Starting with Christmas Carols that as per tradition are sung on Christmas Eve (Dec 24).
Groups of friends of all kinds of ages go around from house to house.
Ring the doorbells and ask “Na ta poume”? (May we sing??)
Everyone opens the doors wide and lets them sing the carols treating them with Kourabiedes, Melomakarona.
Quite frequently the treat is small amounts of money. Especially when the carolers are young children
Christmas Day
On Christmas day (Dec 25th) they all gather for a festive meal at a family member’s house.
In most cases that meeting point is the house of parents or grandparents.
And all generations and ages are present, mingling, catching up, and feeling happy to be together!
A very special gathering that lasts for many many hours.
Boxing Day
On Boxing Day (Dec 26th) which for the Greeks is just “Christmas 2nd day”, another festive meal is to take place at another family member’s house.
And all kinds of similar festivities go on until New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. This is when Agios Vassilis (The Greek Santa) arrives with lots of gifts for all the kids.
It is quite natural to assume that Greek Christmas is not known as widely as the Easter holiday.
In Greece, this is the time of the year there are only a few or no tourists around that could spread the news to the world.
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