In Greece, all the kids spend Christmas with their families. Between 5 and 20 December they decorate their houses with Santa Claus stockings and other Christmas ornaments. Of course, they also decorate their Christmas tree beautifully. Some people decorate a small model ship instead of a tree! Decorating a model ship is the traditional custom for Christmas in Greece but very few people follow this custom. Every kid writes his or her own letter to Santa Claus. On 24th December the children go to every house and shop in their neighborhood and sing the Christmas carols. On Christmas Day every year, most families in Greece have lunch with their relatives.
On 31st December kids sing New Year’s carols in their neighborhood and people
give them sweets or money. On the same day, at night, every family and their
friends are gathered in one of their homes and eat the festive dinner which the
girls and their mothers have prepared. Some of these festive dishes are turkey,
potatoes and salads.
At 12.59 p.m. they say 10..9..8..7.. etc. until 0 and then they kiss and hug. After that they cut the traditional “pita”, which is a sweet cake called ‘Vassilopita’ and it has a coin hidden inside. The person that finds it, is going to be lucky the new year.
The next morning kids open their presents and……... they look forward to next Christmas.