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nadellii

Active member
Hey everyone! With Easter coming up, I was thinking about the tsougrisma game we always play with the red eggs after the Resurrection service. You know—the egg cracking battle to see who ends up with the "uncracked champion"?

I’m curious—do you and your family still play it? And do the “rules” vary from house to house? In my family, we get very competitive about it—everyone picks their egg carefully and there's always a big cheer when someone stays undefeated!

I’d love to hear your stories. Do you play at midnight? At lunch the next day? Does your family do something funny or unique with it?

Share your traditions! It’s such a simple thing, but it really makes Easter feel complete for me.
 
es! We definitely still play tsougrisma—it wouldn’t be Easter without it. In our family, we do it right after the midnight Resurrection service, usually while we're breaking the fast with mageiritsa. Everyone gathers around with their red eggs, and it’s always loud and full of laughs.

We have a rule that the “champion egg” can’t be used again once it wins—it has to sit on display until the next day. And there’s always at least one family member who swears they have a secret egg-picking technique (which is totally just superstition!).

One of my favorite parts is when the youngest and oldest family members face off—it’s a sweet generational moment. And yes, things can get surprisingly competitive. Some years, we even make brackets like it’s a tournament! So fun.
 
Hey everyone! With Easter coming up, I was thinking about the tsougrisma game we always play with the red eggs after the Resurrection service. You know—the egg cracking battle to see who ends up with the "uncracked champion"?

I’m curious—do you and your family still play it? And do the “rules” vary from house to house? In my family, we get very competitive about it—everyone picks their egg carefully and there's always a big cheer when someone stays undefeated!

I’d love to hear your stories. Do you play at midnight? At lunch the next day? Does your family do something funny or unique with it?

Share your traditions! It’s such a simple thing, but it really makes Easter feel complete for me.
Oh yes! We definitely play every year. We invite several “non-Greeks” so rather than doing it after church, we wait until after our Easter meal so they can partake . It wouldn’t be Easter without tsougrisma!. We don’t have any “rules” per se. ine fun story (at the expense of my DIL…),
She is not Greek but wanted to participate so volunteered to do the eggs- she had never done them before. She was so proud that her eggs were the perfect red that we all strive for!! It was a beautiful warm day so everyone was gathered outside , each with their hand picked egg and the fun began…..well,messy fun……the eggs hadn’t been cooked!! Poor dear was so embarrassed but we all brushed it off and had a good laugh! Her eggs have been perfect since then!
 

How to Celebrate Name Days?

I recently heard that name days are a big deal in Greek culture—sometimes even more important than birthdays! My family has never celebrated them, so I’m curious: how do Greek families typically celebrate name days?

Do people throw parties or have a big dinner? Is there a religious aspect to it, like going to church or lighting a candle for the saint? And how do people know when someone’s name day is?

I’d love to hear what kinds of traditions are tied to name days—whether it’s a small gathering with sweets and coffee, or something more elaborate. Do people give gifts, or is it more about the social connection?

Would really appreciate hearing how your family celebrates, especially if you’re keeping this tradition alive outside of Greece!

Greek Harvest Traditions?

I’ve been learning a lot about Greek culture recently and was curious about whether there are any specific traditions related to harvest time in Greece. I know that agriculture plays a big role in the country’s history, with olives, grapes, and other crops being essential to Greek life for centuries.

Are there any traditional festivals or rituals that mark the beginning or end of harvest season? Do certain regions have unique ways of celebrating the harvest? I’m especially interested in any customs around olive or grape harvesting, but would love to hear about anything involving other crops too.

If anyone has firsthand experience or knows of any specific harvest traditions in rural Greek villages or islands, I’d love to hear more! I think it’s fascinating how these practices often connect with local food, culture, and community life.

Tradition of Kallikantzaroi (Christmas Goblins)?

With the holiday season approaching, I’ve been thinking about some unique Christmas traditions I’ve come across, and one that really intrigues me is the Greek legend of the Kallikantzaroi—the mischievous Christmas goblins.

From what I understand, these goblins are said to come to the surface during the 12 days of Christmas, causing trouble and playing pranks, until they return underground on Epiphany. I’ve heard stories of people using special rituals, like burning incense or leaving out food, to ward them off.

Does anyone here know more about the origins of this tradition or how it’s celebrated in different parts of Greece? Are there specific regions where the legend is more prominent? Also, are there any fun family stories or modern twists people have added to the tradition?

Do Greeks have Christmas trees in their homes?

I’ve been learning about Greek Christmas traditions and noticed how rich and unique they are—like the karavaki (decorated boat) and the singing of kalanda (carols). It’s all so fascinating!

This got me wondering: do Greeks typically have Christmas trees in their homes, like many other countries do? If so, are they decorated in any special way that reflects Greek culture? Or are traditional decorations like the karavaki more common?

I’d also love to know if there are specific ornaments or symbols that hold special meaning during the Greek Christmas season. Also, how long do they keep the trees up if they do have them?

Gift Ideas for Staying at Someone's House in Greece Needed

Hi everyone! My partner and I are heading to Greece soon and will be staying at a friend’s house for a few days. We want to bring a thoughtful house gift as a token of our appreciation, but we’re not quite sure what would be most appropriate.

I know that hospitality is a big deal in Greek culture, so I want to make sure we get it right. Should we bring something from our home country, or is it better to buy something locally once we arrive in Greece? Are there any specific gifts that are considered especially thoughtful or traditional when staying in someone’s home?

We’d love to hear any suggestions or advice on what would be most appreciated by our Greek hosts. Thanks! Is it even appropriate to bring a gift?
Share and discuss Greek traditions related to Greek weddings, christenings, dance & holidays!

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