Holiday Traditions

The holidays are quickly approaching and I thought I would touch on some of the Greek holiday traditions, including a few that we celebrate in my house.

For Greeks, the 12 days of Christmas actually ends on January 6th, the day of the Epiphany.

Making Cookies

I mean, is there anything better than making (and eating!) cookies around Christmastime? I think this is pretty much a universal tradition for Christmas, BUT we make SPECIAL cookies. Traditional Greek Christmas cookies are melomakarona and kourabiedes. My Yiayia always used to have a plate piled high with kourabiedes leading up to the holidays, and it was always such a nice treat in the afternoon with my coffee… or anytime, really! Here are two of my my favorite recipes for melomakarona and kourabiedes.

Cutting the Vasilopita

Vasilopita, or St. Basil’s cake, is one of my most favorite traditions. Every year around New Years my mom would make a vasolopita and then on New Years day, we would sit down as a family and cut it together. A slice would be dedicated to the house, to the saints, Jesus, the Virgin Mary, and then all the family members. A coin was hidden in the cake and then whoever would find it. Some people have a specific recipe for their vasilopita — but in my family, we use the same recipe that we do for our Easter bread (tsoureki). It’s one of my all time favorite recipes and was passed down from my yiayia.

Decorating a Boat

My family is from the mountains of Greece, so this isn’t something that is a tradition in my family. But in many parts of Greece, it is traditional to decorate boats (karavakia) instead of Christmas trees. Greece is very connected to the sea, and decorating the boats was traditionally a way of expressing gratitude to towards the sailors & marines. The karavakia would be adorned with ornaments and holiday lights. This still happens in many Greek cities today!

I would love to hear about some traditions that you celebrate in the comments below!