Kalikantzaroi, or the Greek Christmas Sprites, are small blackish and hairy creatures, with long arms and tail, who reside in the bowels of the earth.
Kalikantzaroi are nasty

With a big saw, they compete to cut down the huge wooden stake which holds the earth in place. But the column is very thick and the sawing seems to go on forever.

Right before Christmas, however, Kalikantzaroi almost accomplish their mission and the column seems ready to fall. Overjoyed by their almost successful effort, but also fearful that the earth will topple over on their heads, they rush to the top to bother and annoy the people.

Thousands of these creatures come up to the surface from every hole or crack they can find. However, Kalikantzaroi are very much afraid of the light, so they hide during the day. But at night - that's when they strike! As soon as it's dark, they scramble from their hiding places to taunt and menace people. Because Kalikantzaroi are small, some even very tiny, they can get into the homes through chimneys, keyholes, even from the little cracks on windows and doors.

If you want to wish "Merry Christmas" to someone in Greece, then you should say: Kala Hristouyienna.

If you want to wish "Happy New Year " to someone in Greece, then you should say: Kali Hronia.

For "Happy New Year Day" in Greek you should say "Kali Protohronia".

If your friend is called Manolis or Hristos, his nameday is on December 25 (Christmas day). Wish him "Hronia Polla" (Many Happy Returns) for his nameday.

The same applies if your friend is called Vassilis, Yiannis or Fotis. Vassilis nameday is on January 1, Fotis' nameday is on January 6, Yiannis' nameday is on January 7.

During Christmas holiday period, which lasts from December 24 until January 6, plus a couple of weeks past that, it is a custom in Greece to wish "Hronia Polla" to the people you meet. So, if you meet someone in the morning, the proper way to greet him or her is: Kalimera, Hronia Polla! (Good morning, Many Happy Returns).

In Greece when we talk about the "holidays" we are referring to the holiday period of Christmas, New Year and Epiphany.
Traditionallythe Christmas holiday period lasts 12 days in Greece. There are many customs associated with the "twelve day of Christmas," some very old and others relatively recent, like the decorated tree and the turkey on the Christmas-day table.
Historically,in 354 A.D. it was arranged for the birth of Christ to be celebrated on December 25, the same day that they celebrated the birth of the ancient god Mithra, known as the "invincible sun god" and god of all solar deities in idolatry. With the change, and the turning of people towards other gods, the popularity of the "invincible sun god" dropped and Christ took his place.


Today Christmas in Greece appears more impressive, glossier and more glamorous. Store windows are decorated almost a month in advance, and in the cities the streets and town squares are lit with colourful lights. Also, many people now travel either abroad or around Greece to places which offer winter holidays.