Four ways to ‘Greek-ify’ your Christmas

·

Food:

The best part of a Greek Christmas! Going to a Greek BBQ filled with Greek savouries and sweets. While enjoyed all year round, it is most common to see Kourabiedes, melomakarona and galaktoboureko at Greek events. However, the biggest Christmas tradition among Greeks is eating avgolemono soup after the Christmas Eve church service. Another Greek Christmas tradition is baking and eating Christopsomo, which is common to numerous Greek families across Australia. The bread is usually decorated with a cross or ‘X’ (the first letter in the Greek word for Christ), and is made on Christmas Eve to be eaten on Christmas day.

Wine:

You can’t have a Greek Christmas celebration without Greek Mulled Wine, also known as Krasomelo. The sweet and spicy beverage is used in Greece to warm the taste buds on a winter day, but in Australia it’s used as a sweet beverage that the whole family can drink together at Christmas dinner. While mulling wines are traditionally not the most appetising, many Greeks say the better the wine, the better the krasomelo.

Christmas Tree:

The first Christmas tree came to Greece in 1833, when King Otto of Bavaria brought with him many traditions from his old country. While some Greeks still carry the Christmas tree tradition, many people in Greece instead decorate boats, which are recognised as powerful symbol in Greece of moving towards a new life. However, this doesn’t mean the Christmas tree is ignored during this time of year. Greek Australians are well known for decorating their Christmas trees with baubles of Greek patron saints, as well as photos of Greece printed on their baubles.

Carols:

Although Christmas carols aren’t done as commonly anymore, a Greek “Kalanta” is still a tradition among many Greek families. Not many people know however, that the lyrics and music of the kalanta vary depending on each Greek region, and this is evident not only in the musical instruments accompanying the carollers, but also the rhythm and the wishes. Below is a list of carols from each Greek district, for your family to learn and carry the traditions!

greek film festival sydney new

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Dr Christos Theologos: ‘Dance keeps us bound to our roots, from Chios to Sydney’

As part of the Zeibekiko Festival Australia, respected folklorist Dr Christos Theologos will lead a series of lectures and workshops.

South Melbourne turns to supporters ahead of Australian Championship kick-off

The opening clash of the Australian Championship will be an event shaped by the voices of the fans themselves.

Low birth rates and ageing: The silent enemy of the Greek nation

From the late 1990s it had become clear to Greek demographers and social scientists that the number of births in Greece was falling.

Peta Trimis: The new star of Australian football with a Hellenic soul

At just 19 years old, Peta Trimis is already being hailed as one of the brightest young stars of Australian football.

A second chance at life: Angelo Alateras’ journey from mechanical heart to transplant hope

After years on life support, 80kgs lost, and 615 days of physio, Angelo finally received the gift of a new heart.

You May Also Like

Immersion Day 2024 rekindles Greek heritage with language, community and culture

The echoes of the past reverberated through Oakleigh Grammar on September 22 as teachers, families, and students gathered for Immersion Day.

Traditional Greek Recipes: Chicken Avgolemono Soup

Chicken soup is popular in many cultures, but nothing is more comforting than the traditional Avgolemono.

Economist Stephen Koukoulas predicts major savings for homeowners

Economist Stephen Koukoulas predicts that homeowners could soon save hundreds of dollars monthly, with interest rates cut.