How we celebrate New year Eve and Day in Greece.

1. It’s celebrated on the first of January.

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New Year parties are hosted in the various clubs,
bars, restaurants and hotels or homes and
continue till the break of day.
Extensive fire work shows are arranged all over
the country at the different cities in Greece.
Concerts take place on central squares of cities
and the mayor welcomes the new year after the
count down.
Children sing St Basil’s carols.

3. Immediately after midnight we turn on the lights
previously turned off and sing a song.
 We kiss and hug one another and wish for health
and happiness.
 We open a champagne bottle.


4. This date is the Name Day of Vassilis (Basil) and men named Vassilis or women
named Vassiliki will receive a gift and wishes on this day. All churches or
monasteries named for this saint will offer special services and a celebration
including food and drink.

5. 
Children, open their presents on New Year's Day:
On the 1st of January children in Greece receive
their presents brought by St Basil( Father
Christmas).

6. 
In Greece, it is considered lucky to gamble on this
day, whether you win or lose, and traditionally,
people would gather to play cards.

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A plant called the Scilla Maritime (big onion) is
hung by people in their houses
They smash a pomegranate as a symbol of
abundance throughout the year.
Both “kremmida” and pomegranate carry
heavy symbolic meanings from ancient times
representing prosperity, abundance in the
family, and also bring good luck to one's
descendants.

8. 
Another tradition is that the Greeks consider the
first guest entering their homes on a New Year
Day to be very lucky. Therefore, they always tell a
relative on the New Year Eve whom they consider
to bring luck to visit their house as the first person
on the New Year Day. The people generally prefer
a child to be the desired guest as children are
innocent at heart and are never envious of
anyone's prosperity.

9. 
A special cake, St. Basil's Pie (Vassilópita),
savoury or sweet is baked with a small coin
concealed in it. Whoever gets the piece with the
coin can expect especially good luck in the
coming year.