When we think about the Month of December in Greece, we usually think of winter and celebrations. Let’s learn more about a typical Greek December Month.
December is the first month of winter, which means you could say „kalo xeimona“ – „Καλό χειμώνα“
However, usually Greeks say this wish much earlier, when they come back from their holidays, in September and October!
Just in case you first would like to remember how you say the 12 months in Greece, click here and listen to the video !
Name Days
December is the most festive month of the year in Greece! Apart from Christmas we also have many other religious feasts and important name days. In Greece, overall name days are more important than birthdays, so have a look if you have any Greek friends with the following name!
December 4: Barbara ‘s name day (protector of the army)
December 5: Savas’ name day (protector of the sick)
December 6: Nick, Nikki, Nicoleta, Nicholas’ name day (this day is very important to the Greeks, as St. Nicholas is the protector of sailors. )
Attention! Saint Nicholas does not bring gifts; children in Greece will have to wait till New Year’s Eve. Santa Claus or “Agios Vassilis” is honored on the 1st of January!.
December 9: Anna’s nameday. This day is also supposed to be a cold day.
Listen here to the Greek song: “ah annoula tou xionia” Αχ Αννούλα του χιονιά – Αντώνης Καλογιάννης
December 12: Spyros and Spyridoula’s name day.
December 15: Lefteris and Eleftheria’s name day.
December 25: Christos, Christina, Chrysa, Chrysoyla’s name day.
December 27: Stephanos, Stephania’s name day.
Do not forget to call your friends with those names and tell them “Chronia Polla”! Χρόνια Πολλά!
They will be honoured with your call and will definitely treat you a sweet 🙂
If you want to learn more Greek wishes, which you can use for a Name Day, or write on a card, then
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FREE eBook,
with English Translations and Audio for the correct pronunciation in Greek.
Celebrations
Christmas
As in many countries, Greek people celebrate Christmas. The family gathers and eats together. During the days before Christmas and on the day itself, people wish each other “Kala Xristougenna” and “Kales Giortes”. Of course there are also several traditions connected to the Christmas period.
Trigona Kalanta
In Greece children sing the Christmas carols accompanied by their small metal triangles. Early in the morning on 24/12 the children go from door to door, asking “ na ta poume” – Can we sing it?-“. They sing the carol and will receive a small gift (usually some coins and chocolates or sweets!). Once they have finished their song, children wish “Merry Christmas” and the adults answer “and next year again!”. This basically means that they wish to celebrate Christmas also next year with health and happiness.
If you want to hear a Greek Christmas song and learn the lyrics, click here and learn your first Christmas song: Trigona Kalanta.
Christmas Boat
The decoration of the Christmas tree was not a Greek habit. It is said that the first Christmas tree in Greece was decorated by the Bavarian king Otto in 1833. Today, most Greeks decorate Christmas trees, but according to the tradition, Greeks were also decorating a boat, mainly on the islands. The boat symbolizes the maritime identity of the country. Greeks, a seafaring nation, of course combined the celebration of Christmas with the sea.And the last decade, you also see more and more decorated boats in Athens and other towns on the mainland. To learn more about this tradition, click here.
New Year
Just like Christmas, New Year is a family event in Greece. In the morning of December 31st, children sing again from door to door, but this time with a typical New Year song. People get together for dinner on New Year eve & wish each other ‘Kali Xronia’ at midnight. And many will continue to party the whole night in the various clubs and music venues all over the country.On the 1st of January, people will gather and cut the Vasilopita (see below).
Sweets
If you have ever been in Greece during this season, you must have noticed all the cookies and pastries in the shops. Winter is a season with plenty of delicious Greek sweets. Here below some examples.
Christmas period: Melomakarona
The melomakarono (Greek: μελομακάρονο plural: μελομακάρονα, melomakarona) is an egg-shaped Greek dessert made mainly from flour,olive oil, and honey. It is a traditional sweet prepared primarily during the Christmas holiday season.
Christmas period: Kourabiedes
Together with Melomakarona, these are traditional cookies that are made during the Christmas period in Greece. Kourabiedes are almond butter biscuits, powdered with lots of icing sugar.
New Year Day: Vasilopita
The word Vasilopita is a compound Greek word which means the sweet bread of St. Basil the Great, the one that is cut at home on New Year’s eve or New Year’s day.
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Do you want to immerse yourself in the Greek culture, and celebrate Christmas and New Year, as a local?
Then you are welcome to download the FREE Christmas eBook, in English and Greek.
You will discover new and interesting things about Greece while having fun.
All texts are written in English and Greek, and many audio links, as well as videos, are included.
So, after reading this eBook, you will be totally ready to celebrate a Greek Christmas and New Year, like a Greek in Greece
You will learn about:
Greek Name Days in December
Christmas Decorations and Christmas Boat
Christmas and New Year’s Carols
Christmas Sweets and Food
Useful Christmas and New Year Gifts
A Season Full Of Music
The New Year Cake – Vasilopita
Useful Greek Verbs and Wishes
Printable eBook – PDF file – 29 pages (A4) – Including Audio and Video links
