Christmas is coming and here are 4+1 Greek Traditions for Christmas.
Agios Vasilis (Santa Claus).In Greece Agios Vasilis is Santa Claus.His feast day is celebrated the 1st of January and he is related with the gifts giving.Children wait every night after the New year’s eve for him to come and bring them gifts.They always try to “catch” him while doing so.
Christmas boat. Greece is a maritime country with thousands of islands.The sea is of great importance throughout the centuries for all Greeks . A tradition that hold its roots in the past, is the decoration of the Christmas boat instead of a christmas tree. The boat symbolizes the importance of the sea and the greek maritime history.
Traditional Christmas sweets. Kourabiedes (almond cookies covered with powered sugar) and melomakarona (powered cookies with honey) are the greek traditional sweets that are found in all greek houses during the christmas time. Try them and taste the greek holy spirit.
Another of the 4+1 Greek Traditions for Christmas is
Vasilopita. Every new year’s day a special cake is cut in every greek house. It is a cake named after Saint Vasil with a coin hidden in it.It is beleived that the person who will find it, will be blessed and have good luck for the coming year.If you are in Greece for New year’s do not forget to take part in a cut of vasilopita.
Kalanda (christmas carols).During the christmas eve and new year’s eve children and adults go from house to house singing the greek christmas carols (kalanda) and bringing the christmas joy from house to house. You can hear different carols if you travel in different parts of Greece but always the spirit is the same.
At Acropolis Stay Hotel you can combine the luxury accommodation with all the Greek christmas traditions.Contact us and we will help you be a part of the best time of year in Athens taking part at the 4+1 greek traditions for Christmas.
