Today we explore the Christmas traditions of Greece!

Christmas for Greeks is an important religious holiday and the evening before the 25th of December, in all villages in the country begins the most popular tradition – the caroling!

This is the night when happy groups of children, boys and girls, women and men go from house to house and carry the news of the Nativity of the Savior through their carols (specific Christmas songs, which contain this message). Once inside the courtyard of the house, the #carolers unfold their repertoire in front of the members of the house gathered in the doorway.
After they finish their carols, they are rewarded at every house with different goodies. Carolers are welcomed with joy because they are said to bring health and a prosperous year, then they are rewarded with nuts, apples, rolls, and, more recently, with money. Long live the carolers!
Another tradition that is very popular in Greece and less well known is that besides Christmas trees, boats can be found in the villages of the Greek islands. Throughout the country’s history, Greek wives and children would decorate wooden boats to welcome their husbands and sons back from the sea, safe from harm. Today, the tradition still stands.
There is so much beauty in the Greek Holidays, and so much diversity and unity at the same time. Let’s enjoy every tradition, Christian or pagan, that gives charm and brilliance to each region!