Greek Christmas boat tradition

How it began

Greece always been a nation of sailors. While men worked long times at sea, woman stayed home and waited for their return. When the man returned, the woman decorated wooden boats to celebrate this joyful time.

Decorating boats became also a custom during Christmas. They placed the boats near the fireplace with the nose pointing inwards. This to ensure a safe journey to the mainland. 

The tradition today

In most Greek homes today, the Christmas tree has won from the Christmas boat. But you still find beautiful decorated boats during the Holiday period. On squares in towns and even little mountain villages, the tradition stays in place.

Religious view

From a religious view, the boat stands for sailing to the new life that follows the birth of Jesus.

Boat decoration in Your home

Bring a piece of the Greek tradition in your Christmas decor this year and add some boats. You can use our wooden napkin boats and decorate them with fairy lights. Or use the ceramic boats and fill them with Christmas sweets. Alternative you can do DIY and cut some paper boat garlands or fold your napkins in little boats. ( You should remember from your childhood,...)

The napkin boat you find HERE and the ceramic boat HERE.

Let us see how you used this Greek tradition in your decoration, send some pictures or comment in the blog. Would love to see it!