Greek Merry Christmas: How to Say It, and Greek Christmas Traditions

Want to wish someone a Greek Merry Christmas? In Greek, you say Kala Christougenna. Here is how to say it, what to write in a card, and the lovely traditions behind a Christmas in Greece.

How to say Merry Christmas in Greek

The Greek Merry Christmas is Καλά Χριστούγεννα. In English letters, however, it is written Kala Christougenna. Then, you say it like this: ka-LA hree-STOO-yeh-na. In fact, the word kala means good, and Christougenna means the birth of Christ.

Greeks also say Χρόνια Πολλά (Chronia Polla). It means “many years”, and so it works for almost any happy day. For example, you can say it at Christmas, at New Year, on a birthday or on a name day.

Greek Christmas and New Year wishes

Here are the most useful Greek Christmas wishes for a card or a message:

• Καλά Χριστούγεννα (Kala Christougenna): Merry Christmas
• Χρόνια Πολλά (Chronia Polla): Many happy years
• Καλή Χρονιά (Kali Chronia): Have a good year
• Ευτυχισμένο το Νέο Έτος (Eftychismeno to Neo Etos): Happy New Year
• Καλές Γιορτές (Kales Giortes): Happy holidays

A simple card could say: “Kala Christougenna kai Kali Chronia!” That means “Merry Christmas and a good year!” In short, it is warm, easy and every Greek friend will smile.

Greek Christmas traditions

However, Christmas in Greece is a little different from Christmas in the UK. In fact, the season lasts twelve days, from Christmas Day to Epiphany on 6 January.

The karavaki, a Christmas boat

First of all, Greece is a country of islands and sailors. So, long before the Christmas tree arrived, many homes lit up a small wooden boat, the karavaki. Today, you still see big lit-up boats in town squares, for example in Thessaloniki and on the islands.

The kalanta, Greek carols

On Christmas Eve morning, children go from door to door singing the kalanta. In other words, the kalanta are the sound of a Greek Merry Christmas. They often play a small metal triangle. In return, people give them sweets or a few coins. The children sing again on New Year’s Eve and before Epiphany.

Melomakarona and kourabiedes

Also, no Greek Merry Christmas is complete without two sweet treats. First, melomakarona are soft cookies with honey, orange and walnuts. Second, kourabiedes are butter and almond cookies covered in icing sugar. In Crete, many families also bake a special Christmas bread, the christopsomo.

Agios Vasilis and the vasilopita

In Greece, presents often come on 1 January, not on 25 December. This is because they are brought by Agios Vasilis, Saint Basil. On the same day, families cut the vasilopita, a New Year cake with a coin hidden inside. You can read more about the vasilopita on Wikipedia. Whoever finds the coin has good luck for the whole year.

Bring a Greek Merry Christmas to your home

Love Greece? Then bring a little of it to your tree this year. For example, our metal photo ornament shows our own photos of Santorini and Crete. You can add a short message too, such as “Kala Christougenna 2026”. For a round decoration, see our Christmas photo bauble. And for a cosy drink on Christmas morning, try a personalised photo mug.

Want more ideas for the tree? Read our guide to a Greek Christmas tree. Finally, from all of us at Simov P Store: Kala Christougenna!

All photographs in this article © Simov P Store. All rights reserved.