Are you celebrating Christmas in Greece? We’ve gathered the complete guide for Greek Christmas traditions to help you out – including how they celebrate, gifting etiquette and more.
To help you explore their Christmas traditions, this article is organized into:
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Unique Christmas Traditions in Greece
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- Kallikantzari: During the twelve days from Christmas to Epiphany, mischievous goblins known as kallikantzari emerge from underground to play pranks on people. To ward them off, families keep their fireplaces lit and perform various rituals, believing that these creatures can enter homes through chimneys.
- Decorating Boats and Trees: While the Christmas tree has become popular in Greece, many families still decorate wooden boats, a tradition rooted in the country’s maritime history. This custom symbolizes welcoming sailors home for the holidays and reflects Greece’s strong connection to the sea.
- Singing Kalanta: On Christmas Eve, children go door-to-door singing kalanta, traditional Greek carols. They often carry small instruments like triangles and are rewarded with sweets or coins from their neighbors, similar to caroling traditions in other cultures.
- Unique Regional Celebrations:
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- In Florina, large fires are lit on Christmas Eve to symbolize guidance for the Three Wise Men.
- The city of Volos releases thousands of lanterns into the sky on December 26, each representing a wish for the coming year.
- In Hania, Crete, residents participate in a Santa Run where thousands dress as Santa Claus to raise funds for local charities.
How to Say “Merry Christmas” in Greek?
Extend Christmas wishes in Greek with the phrase, “Καλά Χριστούγεννα” (Kalá Christoúgenna).
Do you need more variety of Christmas wishes? Here is our full article on Christmas Wishes in Greek.
Greek Christmas Gifting Etiquette
When participating in Christmas gifting traditions in Greece, it’s essential to understand the local etiquette to ensure that your gestures are well-received. Here are the key do’s and don’ts:
Do’s in Gifting
- Exchange Gifts with Close Friends and Family: Gifts are typically exchanged among close relatives and friends. It’s considered impolite to give gifts to acquaintances or people you don’t know well.
- Wrap Your Gifts: Always wrap your gifts nicely. Presentation is important, and unwrapped gifts can be seen as disrespectful.
- Open Gifts Immediately: Upon receiving a gift, it is customary to open it right away and express your gratitude immediately. This shows appreciation for the thought behind the gift.
- Give Meaningful but Modest Gifts: Choose gifts that are thoughtful rather than overly expensive. The value of gifts should ideally be comparable to avoid putting pressure on the recipient to reciprocate with something of equal or greater value.
Don’ts in Gifting
- Avoid Giving Sharp Objects: It is considered bad luck to give knives, scissors, or any sharp objects as gifts, as these items symbolize severing relationships.
- Don’t Overextend Financially: Avoid spending excessively on gifts, as this can create discomfort for the recipient who may feel obligated to match your expenditure.
- Don’t Give Gifts to Acquaintances: As mentioned, gifting is reserved for those with whom you share a close relationship; giving gifts to casual acquaintances can be seen as inappropriate.
- Don’t Wait Too Long to Open Gifts: Delaying the opening of a gift can be perceived as impolite; recipients should open their gifts in front of the giver to show appreciation at that moment.
Traditional Greek Christmas Food
Desserts play a significant role during this season, with favorites including kourabiedes (almond cookies dusted with powdered sugar) and melomakarona (honey-soaked cookies). Families often prepare these sweets ahead of time to share with guests throughout the holiday season.
On Christmas Eve, families bake Christopsomo, a special bread decorated with a cross and symbols representing their family’s heritage. This bread is blessed and shared among family members as part of their festive meal.
Pomegranate Tradition
Many Greek families have a tradition involving pomegranates, which symbolize abundance and good fortune. On Christmas or New Year’s, the pomegranate is smashed on the floor of the home or outside the front door to bring prosperity for the coming year. The number of seeds that spill out is believed to reflect the level of good luck ahead.
Twelve Days of Protection
During the twelve days from Christmas to Epiphany, Greeks burn olive branches and sprinkle holy water around their homes to protect themselves from evil spirits and the kallikantzari. Olive branches, symbolizing peace and protection, are burned to ward off any unwanted energy.
Spiliá (The Grotto)
In some parts of Greece, especially in the islands, families construct a small spiliá (grotto) representing the birthplace of Christ. These grottoes are often decorated with natural materials like rocks and seashells, showcasing a blend of Greek Christian and maritime influences.
Conclusion
Celebrating Christmas in Greece goes beyond food and gifts. It’s a time to honor love, cherish family, and embrace timeless traditions. Christmas is imbued with cultural richness and meaningful celebrations. Have a happy holiday!
Sophie is an etiquette coach who has the rare ability to make the intricacies of etiquette approachable and fun. She travels around the world coaching families, individuals, corporates and independent schools. Sophie has honed her craft without losing her easy-going charm.