{"id":13433,"date":"2025-12-05T10:21:00","date_gmt":"2025-12-05T08:21:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.omilo.com\/greek-christmas-traditions\/"},"modified":"2025-12-09T14:21:57","modified_gmt":"2025-12-09T12:21:57","slug":"greek-christmas-traditions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/omilo.com\/fr\/greek-christmas-traditions\/","title":{"rendered":"Greek Christmas and New Year Traditions"},"content":{"rendered":"

There are many Greek Christmas and New Year Traditions in Greece!\u00a0 Here below you will find more information about those traditions.
\nIn the meantime, in order to improve your listening skills,\u00a0 you can click on the button below, where you will find the translation in Greek
\nas well as the Audio<\/strong><\/p>\n

Greek Christmas Traditions <\/strong><\/h2>\n

Christmas preparations begin in December. 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. Apart from a tree, it is also possible to come across a decorated boat; you may think there is something wrong about it but this is definitely not the case! Traditionally, in the past people in Greece used to decorate Christmas boats, especially on the islands. The Christmas tree tradition arrived later from Europe.<\/p>\n

\"greek<\/p>\n

Christmas sweets and food<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Christmas preparations, however, include more than Christmas trees, ornaments and lights; getting ready for the festive season is also about preparing lots of sweets! It is time to make or buy \u2018\u03bc\u03b5\u03bb\u03bf\u03bc\u03b1\u03ba\u03ac\u03c1\u03bf\u03bd\u03b1\u2019 (melomak\u00e1rona)<\/a>, \u2018\u03ba\u03bf\u03c5\u03c1\u03b1\u03bc\u03c0\u03b9\u03ad\u03b4\u03b5\u03c2\u2019 (kourambi\u00e9thes, \u2018th\u2019 pronounced as in the word \u2018the\u2019) and \u2018\u03b4\u03af\u03c0\u03bb\u03b5\u03c2\u2019 (thiples, \u2018th\u2019 pronounced as in the word \u2018the\u2019, stress on \u2018i\u2019)! If you are in Greece, you will definitely see these wonderful sweets in the pastry shops and bakeries! Make sure you taste them!<\/p>\n

The main Christmas meal also requires special preparation. Stuffed roast turkey is, of course, the most popular choice, however, the traditional food of this day is pork<\/a>.
\nFormerly, it was indeed the custom for each family in villages to raise a piglet to be slaughtered some little time before Christmas for the festive table.<\/p>\n

On December 31st, we also make the \u2018\u0392\u03b1\u03c3\u03b9\u03bb\u03cc\u03c0\u03b9\u03c4\u03b1\u2019 (Vasil\u03ccpita). A sweet pie for St. Basil who visits houses at the dawn of New Year\u2019s Day and leaves the presents for the children. It is traditional to bake a coin [called \u2018\u03c6\u03bb\u03bf\u03c5\u03c1\u03af\u2019 (flouri, stress on \u2018i\u2019)] into the \u2018\u0392\u03b1\u03c3\u03b9\u03bb\u03cc\u03c0\u03b9\u03c4\u03b1\u2019. The individual who receives the slice with the coin is considered especially blessed in the coming year!<\/p>\n

\"Melomakarona<\/p>\n

Christmas and New Year Carols<\/strong><\/h2>\n

 <\/p>\n

On December 24th, if you are in Greece, do not be surprised if they ring your doorbell early in the morning! It is groups of children coming over to your place to sing the carols! \u03a4he children go from house to house singing about the birth of Jesus Christ holding their small metal triangles and hitting them with short metal bars! Open them the door; it is believed to bring good luck into your home. The children will ask you \u2018\u039d\u03b1 \u03c4\u03b1 \u03c0\u03bf\u03cd\u03bc\u03b5;\u2019 (\u2018Na ta poume?\u2019, literally \u2018Shall we say them?\u2019, meaning \u2018Shall we sing the carols?\u2019) and you are supposed to reply \u2018\u039d\u03b1 \u03c4\u03b1 \u03c0\u03b5\u03af\u03c4\u03b5!\u2019 (\u2018Na ta peite!\u2019, literally \u2018Say them!\u2019). When they finish singing, give them some \u2018\u03c7\u03b1\u03c1\u03c4\u03b6\u03b9\u03bb\u03af\u03ba\u03b9\u2019 (pocket money)!<\/p>\n

On December 31st, the children come again to your house to sing about the New Year!<\/p>\n

A Greek Christmas Story<\/h2>\n

What about listening to an Easy Greek Podcast Story, related to Christmas and New Year in Greece?
\nA Magical Greek Christmas
\nClick here, and listen to the Podcast in Greek, narrated in slow pace and normal Greek speaking pace<\/a><\/p>\n

Also the notebook is available, with transcript, English translations, vocab list,\u00a0 exercises, and much more..
\nClick here<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Greek<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Have you ever spent Christmas in Greece?<\/h3>\n

If not, put it on your agenda. You will not regret<\/p>\n

For your info, Omilo can also\u00a0organize private lessons for you in Athens<\/a>
\nIt is the ideal way to improve your Greek while exploring Athens during the Christmas Holidays.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Omilo-team wishes you a great holiday season.
\n\u039a\u03b1\u03bb\u03ad\u03c2 \u03b3\u03b9\u03bf\u03c1\u03c4\u03ad\u03c2!!<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

There are many Greek Christmas and New Year Traditions in Greece!\u00a0 Here below you will find more information about those traditions. In the meantime, in order to improve your listening skills,\u00a0 you can click on the button below, where you will find the translation in Greek as well as the Audio<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":18652,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1168,382,362],"tags":[384,812,363,1130],"yoast_head":"\nGreek Christmas and New Year Traditions | Omilo<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Greek Christmas and Newyear Traditions. 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