Florina

The kindling of the bonfire in this snowy northern Greek town is called Boubouna (Thundering). After the lighting of the bonfire many women collect embers and bring them home believing that these will bring them happiness.

Fiki

The small village near Trikala in the Peloponnese observes a strange custom. In the week before Christmas villagers slaughter pigs in a holiday called Pig Joy. The pigs are slaughtered in remembrance of the killing of Bethlehem’s children by Herod. Naturally, pork is traditionally served for Christmas. Also, the pigs are cooked in a special way with pieces of tin and coal and incense on it while chanting the blessing: “Eat this in full health and let it be bigger next year.”

Malakasi

The area near Kalambaka in Thessaly gathers girls from every neighborhood. They head to the swings where they meet the young men who swing on the girl’s swings. The engaged ones traditionally head to the swing of their loved one… Perhaps that’s how swinging was started!

Longa

At this village in Thessaly, women go to mass on Christmas day and return home to get their pots to get water from the fountain. It is customary to throw a small roll and a coin in the fountain that needs to be collected the next day.

Skyros

On this island, it is believed that at the stroke of midnight on Christmas eve the heavens open and whoever asks for something from God will have their wish come true.

Kimolos

In the small Greek island that dots the Aegean, they believe that oxen speak on Christmas Eve. “When we put mouthfuls of Christmas bread in the majiaoures (manger) of the oxen, we leave immediately so that we will not hear the animals talk.” And when the animals talk, do you know what they say? The complain about the food!