Christmas is always celebrated in Cyprus in a rather traditional way. It is, beyond doubt, a magic, precious and loving holiday for both children and grownups. A time when people rejoice the birth of boy Jesus, spend time with beloved ones, exchange gifts, sing carols and… eat!
Christmas is a time for spending quality time with family and friends, enjoying good food and relaxing strolls in the town and shops, which come to life with twinkling lights and gleaming decorations. As we are in the most festive month of the year Cyprus has to offer many Christmas events and activities in the run up to Christmas and the New Year. Each town offering its own magic to entertain all ages.
The towns are also well decorated with Father Christmas statues, snowmen, angels and lights in town and throughout the villages. And, even though Easter is the bigger of the two events Christmas and New Years is not to be downplayed with many unique customs, decorations, foods and traditions.
For many Cypriots, Christmas is preceded by fasting. The season begins on December 6th, the Feast of St. Nicholas and ends on January 6th, the Feast of the Epihany. Christmas is celebrated as a religious holiday and on Christmas Eve people go to church and many children go from house to house singing carols or “kalanda” which have been passed down from Byzantine times.
Goblin-like and mischievious little sprites known as “kalikantzari” are said to prey upon people causing mischief during the 12 days of Xmas. Although not done as much as in the past, some people “protect themselves” by wrapping a sprig of basil around a cross and then sprinkling it with holy water. The water is then sprinkled in each room throughout the 12 days of Christmas.
In the past, children used to get their gifts on New Years Day since Father Christmas is “Agios Vasilis” or St. Basil whom was celebrated on New Years Day with the special cake “Vasilopita.” Mothers would leave the cake with a candle on it and a goblet of wine for him – he would drink the wine, bless the cake then leave the gifts. Most people now exchange and receive presents on Christmas Day. The New Year’s cake is still widely sold in bakeries or made in homes to be cut on New Years Day or Eve. The cake is not very sweet but has one gold coin in it – whomever gets the piece of cake with the coin in it is said to have good luck all year.
Some other popular foods at Christmas in Cyprus are Stuffed turkey which has become more popular in recent years or the traditional Souvla made with lamb or pork cooked on the traditional Cypriot BBQ over charcoals. For sweets there are the delicious Kourabiedes – small almond cakes coated in icing sugar, melomakarona – honey cakes and Finikia – walnut cakes.
Whatever you choose to do in Cyprus over your Christmas holidays, stay safe, enjoy and have a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous, healthy and Happy New Year!!
