Traditional Christmas Greeting: "Kala Christouyenna"
Location: Southern Europe
Tree Type: Cultural Decorations:

Decorations:
- The decorations on the Greek tree symbolize the real gifts on the family trees.
- The tree is decorated with presents on Christmas Eve and remain on the tree until New Years Day (St. Basil's Day). On New Years Day they are opened. The children believe that St. Basil gives gifts to them. It is believed that St. Basil makes his visits to the homes by way of a boat.
- In public sites throughout Greece there are displays of lighted and decorated boats symbolic of the Greek merchant fleet.

Traditions:
Saint Nicholas' Day on December 6 has special significance in Greece. As a country with strong ties to the sea, Greece has particular incentive to appreciate St. Nicholas, the patron saint of sailors and fishermen. Greek sailors normally make sure to keep an icon of St. Nicholas aboard ships, and on St. Nicholas' Day most boats are decorated with blue and white lights (the colors of the Greek flag).

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are heralded by groups of children singing kalanda, the Greek equivalent of carols, from door to door. Their good wishes are usually rewarded with sweets and fruit. Christmas trees are not part of traditional Greek festivities, and they have only recently been included in relatively few homes.

Instead, the recognizable symbol of Christmas is a wooden cross wrapped in a sprig of basil and suspended over a small basin of water. During each of the 12 days of Christmas between December 25 and January 6, the cross is dipped into the basin and used to sprinkle holy water throughout the house. This practice is connected to the Greek belief in the Killantzaroi, mischievous sprites or goblins. The Killntzaroi are said to emerge from the center of the earth only during this time of the year, when they slip into people's homes through the chimney to extinguish fires, sour milk, and generally cause trouble. In addition to sprinkling holy water, many homes keep a fire burning in the chimney for all 12 days to prevent the Killantzaroi from entering.

Greek people generally exchange gifts on January 1st, Saint Basil's Day. A ceremony called ‘the renewal of waters' also takes place on this day, when all water jugs are emptied and refilled with St. Basil's water. In some towns, the priest visits each house and blesses it with holy water as well.

Roasted lamb and pork are usually the main courses at the feasts scattered throughout the Greek Christmas season. Loaves of Christopsomo, or ‘Christ Bread,' are a coveted treat after the 40 days of fasting that precede Christmas Eve in many parts of Greece. This sweet bread is usually shaped and decorated to reflect the family's makeup and profession. Greek Christmas celebrations conclude with Epiphany on January 6.