January 1st, the New Year's Day January 1st is the Feast of Agios Vassilis (the Santa Claus in Greece is Saint Basil), celebrated with church services. That day, all Greek families cut the vassilopita, a sweat bread with a coin inside which brings good luck for the year to come to its finder. January 1st is also the day when Christmas gifts are given to the children. Generally, Greece has many interesting Christmas customs that revive very vividly all over the country. Source: www.greeka.com