Christmas Cultures

Christmas in Greece

On Christmas Eve, children, especially boys, often go out Carol singing in the streets. They play drums and triangles as they sing. Sometimes the will also carry model boats decorated with nuts painted gold. Carrying a boat is a very old custom in the Greek Islands.

In Greek Happy/Merry Christmas is 'Kala Christougenna'. Happy/Merry Christmas in lots more languages.

If the children sing well, they might be given money or nuts, sweets and dried figs to eat.

People in Greece also celebrate Epiphany on the 6th January. Children get their presents either on the 1st January or on Epiphany, when Agios Vasilis (the Greek name for Santa) comes, often arriving on a boat.