In Greece the Christmas tree are not of much popularity. Here people normally adorn their evergreen trees with a star and tinsels. Besides, the main symbol of the Christmastime is a shallow wooden bowl filled with water. A piece of wire is suspended across the brim from that a twig of basil is wrapped around a wooden cross. Once in a day a family member mostly the mother dips the cross and basil in the Holy Water and sprinkles it all over the house. It is believed that the ritual keeps away the “Killantzaroi” or the mischievous spirits away. Another way to dispel the evil and mischievous spirits is burning the hearth all the time for 12 days.

St. Nicholas holds much importance here. It is believed that he rescues the ships against sinking in the sea. That’s why He is depicted with his clothes drenched with brine, his beard soaked with sea-water and sweats on the face. Greek ships normally don’t leave the ports without a St. Nicholas icon on board.

On Christmas Eve, children singing ‘kalanda’ (which are same like Christmas carols) with drum beats and tinkling of triangles go to different houses collecting small gifts, dry fruits, sweets and candies.

After 40 days of fasting people look forward for the grand Christmas feast. It majorly includes ham, bacon, roasted lambs, and special loaves of spicy breads known as “Chrisopsomo” or Christ’s bread. It is generally made in large loaves in different sizes and their crusts indicate the profession of the family.

The priests also visit houses and sprinkle Holy Water to repel the hiding spirits from the homes.

People exchange gifts mainly on January 1^st known as St. Basil’s Day. The traditional “renewal of water” takes place. It is a ritual in which the jugs of the houses are emptied and refilled with new “St. Basil’s Water”. Often the ceremony is followed by offerings to the spirits of springs and fountains called “naiads”. Later, the ceremony ends with another dinner accompanied by kourambiethes, which is a Greek nut cookie.