A Greek Christmas in the Diaspora – the Challenges and the Blessings

Christmas in the Diaspora can be bittersweet for many of us who have loved ones in Greece.  However, it’s also a time of year to embrace our unique identity, a combination of two cultures, and share it with others.

One of the main challenges Greeks face in the lead-up to Christmas is the lack of a ‘festive feeling’. For most of us, regardless of culture and nationality, the Christmas spirit tends to be rooted in what we remember from growing up. So all the sights, smells, and tunes carved into our memories tend to capture the essence of Christmas.

Many of us grew up in the Diaspora, but for those who grew up in Greece, being away from where we celebrated Christmas as children somehow interferes with our seasonal spirit. Without our favourite Christmas treats like melomakarona and kourapiedes in steady supply, spotting our neighbour’s little decorated Christmas boats outside their front door, or hearing children sing Kalanda, it can feel decidedly unfestive. In addition, many of us live in climates that are directly opposed to Greece’s. It’s not easy to feel ‘Christmassy’ in the middle of summer.

Many of us in the Diaspora are blessed with family, friends, and a strong community around us, and this is who we celebrate special occasions with. However, Christmas can feel bittersweet with some of our loved ones still back in Greece. Fortunately, evolving technology enables us to “FaceTime” or Skype with one another and share instant messages, photos, and videos so that it can feel almost like being together on these special occasions.

Although we live in the Diaspora and are therefore usually keen to adapt to local flavours and methods in general, remember that there is a real sense of comfort, pride, and identity in selecting some traditions from Christmas in Greece to add to your celebrations in the Diaspora. They also provide a great talking point for Greek children growing up in the Diaspora, and guests of yours who don’t have a Greek heritage.

Some ideas to incorporate Greece into your Christmas celebrations include baking a loaf of Christopsomo to share, followed by a traditional Greek leg of lamb on the BBQ instead of turkey!

You could find a recipe for Melomakarona and kourapiedes (or ask someone in your community who knows how to make them) to share with everyone after your meal. Don’t forget to attend your local Orthodox Church Christmas Day service – the sense of community and cheerful atmosphere will surely bring some Christmas spirit to your day.

Celebrating Christmas in the Diaspora is a very special blessing. Not only do we have the opportunity to combine the best traditions from each culture, but we also get to share them with others. Children learn more about their heritage and the way their parents and grandparents celebrated Christmas. Everyone who attends such festivities, from any cultural background, has the chance to come together in joy and love—and this is the true meaning of Christmas, after all.

Καλα Χριστουγεννα- Merry Christmas! 

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Melina Mallos

Melina is a children’s multicultural educator, consultant and author. Having moved from her birthplace in Greece to Australia at the age of 6, Melina is passionate about helping other children understand and appreciate their own cultural heritage and that of others. A trained early childhood educator, Melina is committed to sharing her knowledge on various cultural sensitivities.