Chill December brings the sleet,
Blazing fire and Christmas treat.
Christmas customs begin on Christmas Eve on Skopelos, when early in the morning the children of Skopelos knock on the doors of houses and shops to sing Christmas Carols and bang metal triangles. The Christmas dining table is specially decorated with the traditional 'kourambiedes' (Kourabiedes are a traditional Greek butter cookies made for special occasions like Christmas. They are covered with icing sugar and are a favourite among Greeks) and 'melomacarona' (which are honey cakes).
The bread baked especially for Christmas is called 'Christopsomo'. On Christmas day, the father of the family crosses the bread with a knife and offers each member of the family a piece whilst wishing them 'Xronia Polla!'
Public holidays in December:
Christmas Day |
25 December |
St Stephen's Day |
26 December |
MANY YEARS! XRONIA POLLA! MANY YEARS! XRONIA POLLA!
Name days in December:
December 2 Miropi
December4 Barbara
December 5 Savvas
December 6 Nicholas
December 7 Athinadoros
December 12 Spiridon, Fionan
December 13 Orestes
December 15 Elevtherios
December 19 Aglaia
December 22 Anastasia
December 23 Anatoli
December 24 Eugenia
December 26 Iosif
December 27 Stefanos
December 28 Dymosthenes