Occasions

Name days, explained

Most Greek first names belong to a saint, and the saint’s feast day is the name day (ονομαστική εορτή, onomastiki eorti) of everyone who carries the name. Friends and family call, visit or send something small. Many people keep an open house and do not send invitations, because everyone is expected to know the date.

Most name days fall on a fixed date each year. A few move with Easter, and George is the best-known case: his feast is 23 April, but when that date falls before Easter the celebration moves to Easter Monday.

Customs vary by family and region, and some names have more than one feast. If in doubt, ask the person, or their mother.

The Name day tin was built for this: Chios mastiha (GR-K), 1 g of Krokos Kozanis saffron (GR-C) and Vostizza currants (GR-G), three regions labelled plainly, EUR 30, letterbox size. It ships to Greece and the EU, and to the United States (with FDA Prior Notice) and Canada with duties paid. The United Kingdom opens after our UK VAT registration.

Orthodox Easter

Greek Orthodox Easter follows the Julian calendar for its date calculation, so it usually falls later than Western Easter, and in some years on the same day.

The weeks before are Lent, when many families avoid meat, dairy and eggs. A gift for Holy Week is best kept to fasting foods: our fava and saffron pilaf recipes in the Kitchen fit, and so do currants, saffron and olive oil.

Christmas and New Year

The Church of Greece celebrates Christmas on 25 December. The Vasilopita cake is cut on 1 January, which is also the name day of Vasilis. Gifts in Greece are traditionally exchanged on New Year’s Day as well as, or instead of, Christmas.

When to order

Until then, a simple rule: order early for anything that crosses a customs border, and remember that Greek public holidays and the weeks around Easter slow couriers inside Greece too. Zones, rates and duties are on Shipping and duties.