THE

ULTIMATE
Guide
to
Greek Christmas Holidays
Here's the list with the links and the resources from the
article.
Καλές Γιορτές!

1. The Christmas Holidays

Read more here about the 12 days of Christmas (link in Greek)

Read more here about St Basil the Great (link in English)

There are 3 major dates: Christmas on December 24th, New Year's on

January 1st and the Epiphany on January 6th.

- Christmas is called Χριστούγεννα and it's the name day of Christos and
Christina.
- New Year's day is called Πρωτοχρονιά and it's the name day of Vasilis and
Vasiliki.
- Epiphany is called Θεοφάνεια ή Φώτα and it's the name day of Fotis and
Fotini, also Ourania (for women).

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2. Wishes
Καλή Χρονιά! Happy New Year! (On January 1st and on)
Καλή Πρωτοχρονιά! Happy New Year's Eve/1st day! (only until New Year's
Eve)
Καλά Χριστούγεννα! Merry Christmas! (only until Christmas Eve)
Χρόνια Πολλά! “Years Many”! (birthdays, name days, religious holidays)
Καλές γιορτές! Happy holidays!

How to write a Greek wishes email or card before the holidays:

(your recipient's NAME) μου,

σου εύχομαι Καλά Χριστούγεννα και Καλή Πρωτοχρονιά!

Να περάσεις όμορφα με την οικογένειά σου.

Φιλιά,

your NAME

How to write a Greek wishes email or card for a name day:

(your recipient's NAME) μου,

Χρόνια Πολλά!

Να σε χαίρεται η οικογένειά σου. Πάντα υγεία και ευτυχία στη ζωή σου!

Φιλιά,

your NAME

3. Greek Christmas food

Watch here how to make a Χριστόψωμο Christ's bread (video in Greek)

Watch here how to make a Βασιλόπιτα St Basil's pie (video in Greek)

Watch here how to cut a Βασιλόπιτα St Basil's pie (humorous video in

Greek but you'll get an idea!)

Here's an actual recipe of kourampiedes in English (link)

And the recipe in Greek! (link)

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 On Christmas day pork, greens, salads, roast potatoes and the large variety
of Greek pies is what Greeks have traditionally.

The special bread we make and set on the table is named “Χριστόψωμο”:
Christ’s bread and it’s a bread made with honey, spices and nuts, decorated
with shapes made out of dough.

On the New Year’s eve everyone - and I mean everyone, big and small -
stays up until at least midnight.

This is the moment to cut the “βασιλόπιτα”: Saint Basil’s pie. In this special pie
(which can be a cheese pie or even a vanilla cake) we hide a coin. Whoever
finds it in their piece has good luck for the whole year. Or so we like to
hope!

4. Carols
Here's a wonderful collection of Greek carols from across Greece and
beyond! (link to listen)

The carols are traditionally sung by groups of children visiting house after
house and shop after shop in the Christmas Eve and the New Year’s Eve,
always in the morning. In the Epiphany Eve you might listen to carols as well
but this is less common nowadays.

And here's your link to the Christmas Carols with English translation and a
pronunciation guide to help you. (link)

5. How to celebrate

Decorate a tree a few days before Christmas and keep it until the Epiphany.
Before the Christmas tree, Greeks would display a miniature boat in some
regions.

Breaking a pomegranate on New Year's day; pomegranate is considered to

bring luck and prosperity.

Stories about "καλλικάντζαροι": (kallikantzari) goblins, are told by the fire.

Read about these mischievous spirits here. (link in English)

Watch the blessing of the water on Epiphany day. (watch at 5:00)

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Spend lots of time outside! Greeks love celebrating with lots of music,
dance, events and food of course.

If you’re invited to a Greek’s home, it is common to buy dessert or flowers

or wine. Along with a card, this is a wonderful gift for your Greek host.

Καλές Γιορτές!

Danae

www.alphabetagreek.com

ALPHA BETA GREEK © 2017