As the temps lowered on the island and the holiday lights went up, we were excited to experience our first winter and holidays here. Since we live close to the city center, I got to watch Heraklion get dressed up for Christmas. Even though I don’t celebrate Christmas I love Christmas lights and Heraklion did a great job lighting up. They set up a small Christmas Market where you can buy various handmade items. Our favorite was where the sweetest lady, Yura, was crocheting hats and scarves on site so of course we all had to get one!

For the past few years in Tampa, our friend Linda has hosted an amazing Hanukah dinner for me and my friends. She always went above and beyond with an amazing brisket, and we all brought side dishes. Last year we realized in 2024 Hanukah would overlap with Christmas and New Years. We joked that we should bring the Hanukah dinner party to Crete. I couldn’t believe it when 5 of my friends actually came to Greece in the winter, just to help us celebrate our first year here. We couldn’t wait to show them our new hometown and ring in the New Year with them.

To prepare for their arrival we ordered a Waghu Brisket from the butcher in Archannes- a town nearby. Linda shipped in some very nice wine, no shade but Greek Red wine is not my friends’ favorites, we love the white though! We had booked our family’s villa in Koutouloufari – https://nimadivillas.gr/, a village 30 mins from Heraklion. When we would come to Crete for vacation, we always stayed in Koutouloufari, it’s a really cute authentic village with great restaurants and shops. Feel free to contact me about booking the lovely villa. We made all the traditional Hanukah dishes and drank and ate just like we were all back in Tampa. My mom even sent a loaf of homemade Challah and sugar cookies in a suitcase!

One of the traditions we were not ready for is the caroling that kids do, door to door on Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve and Epiphany Eve. They sing Greek songs and play a triangle then neighbors and friends give them money or treats. The first kids that came to our door were probably disappointed we didn’t know the process and weren’t ready with Euros to give them. I quickly called Jeff’s cousin Maria and learned we were supposed to give the kids coins- we were ready for the next ones. On New Years Eve my friends and I were invited to join a group in Milatos, a village about an hour east, to carol and wish neighbors a Happy New Year. This was the perfect way to end our friends’ visit- a truly authentic Greek tradition! The village got a kick out of the crazy Americans and said it was their best year yet- we have been invited back next year, and I can’t wait!

It was such a nice holiday here, had visitors, spent Christmas Day with Jeff’s family and experienced new traditions. The winter is proving to be a really nice time to be on Crete. The weather is mild, 60’s mostly. If you’re in the shade, it’s chilly but the sun can be really warm, so we are always wearing layers.

Another tradition here is the Vasilopita Cake. It’s a citrus or spice cake served for New Year’s and hidden inside is a coin. The person who gets the coin is said to have good luck all year. Jeff found the coin in his slice, so according to the Greeks 2025 is going to be a great year for him!

We left Greece on New Year’s Day with our friends and spent 4 days in Amsterdam with Jen and Stacey. We had a blast going to museums, coffee shops and eating a ton of food. The Greeks haven’t quite mastered Asian or Indian food in Heraklion at least, so we got our fill in Amsterdam.

So, we start off 2025 living in Crete, and our plans are to stay for now, we are happy and healthy, I’m starting to plan for summer visitors and might do some part-time work in tourism. We go to Tampa for a bit in May, we have 2 graduations to celebrate Nick and Jonathan our nephews. We have been invited to a Greek wedding in September 1500 people – Big Fat Greek Wedding? Not sure what this year will bring but I’m pretty excited to experience it all. My Greek is getting better, I can understand a lot, but speaking is still choppy. Siga, Siga!