25 December 'Ta Christougenna' (Christmas)

Only in very recent times has Christmas in Greece begun to mimic its Western counterpart, with Christmas trees and the like, as Pascha (Greek Orthodox Easter) has always been the most important religious holiday of the year.

If one considers that resurrection is a significant concept in Greek mythology (as well as in myths worldwide), and that fertility rites are common to all agricultural societies, it should be no surprise that the annual celebration of spring (the resurrection of earth after the 'death' of winter) should be the primary holy-day in Greece.

There are, however, strong Greek customs relating to Christmas (and to the Twelve Days of Christmas), among them the singing of 'kalanda' or carols, with children going from house to house and singing verses having to do with the birth of Christ, and also offering good wishes to the household. The children often accompany themselves on the triangle, or sometimes with drums or flutes. They will also make the rounds of local businesses such as banks, offices, and stores, and people are expected to give them a little coin or a sweet.

Such businesses also typically put out plates of the two traditional Christmas cookies for their customers: kourambiehdhes (almond biscuits topped with powdered sugar), and melomakarona (moist cookies made with honey,spiced with cloves, and topped with chopped walnuts. These cookies are seen in every bakery during the entire holiday season. There is also a bread baked at this time of year, called 'Khristopsomo' (Christ's bread), decorated with patterns of dough on top. The father of the family cuts this bread after making a cross on it with the knife, and then offer the pieces to all the family members with good wishes. There are various Christmas customs according to region, as with all Greek holidays, in some places, offerings of wine or olive oil made into the hearth.