Greeks celebrate Christmas with several traditions - decorating Christmas trees as was done in ancient times for health and prosperity, decorating boats which children would sing carols from in Greek islands, and each region having developed special Christmas carols. Additional traditions include baking a special Christmas bread and new year's pie with a coin inside for luck, and observing the 12 holy days from December 25th to January 6th which includes celebrating Christmas, New Year's with Saint Vassileios visiting children, and Epiphany where a priest blesses water and youngsters dive for a cross.

1. Christmas in Greece
21st Primary school of Athens

2. The Christmas tree
 We decorate the Christmas tree. This tradition comes
from ancient times, upon which people used to
decorate their homes for the new year with tree
branches. This was done for good health and
prosperity.

3. The boat
 This is a tradition in Greek islands. They decorate a
boat and some years ago children sang the Christmas
carols holding this boat.
 The students painted this boat:

4. The carols
 Every geographical district has developed over the
years special carols that are sang by children the day
before the Christmas day, the new year day and the
Epiphany day.

5. Useful links for Greek carols:
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ED7JVpI66zk&list=P
LD3D7054C44327BD7
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCozjjhToDE
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYbxPY9gQoA
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVEIP5p7lCY

6. The Christmas bread
 This is a special bread for the Christmas day. They
make it with the best ingredients and they decorate it .
 This is the Christmas bread which we baked….

7. The new year pie
 This is a cake or a bread for new year day. We usually
insert a coin and whoever gets it will have good luck.

8. The Holy 12-days
 In the orthodox church the period from 25/12 until 6/1 is
named “the holy 12days”.
 The holy 12days in the orthodox angiography:
 25/12 : Christmas

9. The Holy 12-days
 1/1: Saint Vassileios
 The children expect their presents to be delivered to
them on new years eve.

10. The Holy 12-days
 6/1: The Epiphany. People attend the church
ceremony for the blessing of water. The priest throws
the cross into the sea and the youngsters dive in to
take it.

11. We wish you….
 A merry Christmas and a happy new year!!!!