Christmas is Coming

Despite the unseasonally warm weather (with heavy rain at the moment) Christmas is indisputably on the way. Starting last weekend with two craft fairs, the local shops are now full of Christmas gifts, decorations and party wear. Christmas trees are springing up all over the place, and advent calendars are being opened, counting down the days to Santa's arrival. Of course, in Greece, we are awaiting the arrival of St. Basil who brings presents on New Year's Day, though I think most half-and-half families still celebrate Christmas with their children and leave mince pies out for St. Nicholas.

The three-day annual Craft Fair, held at Casa Lucia in Sgombou, was as usual an opportunity for friends - kept apart by the activities of a busy summer - to meet again, arrange coffee mornings and exchange news and views.

Contributing to the Christmas cheer, mulled wine and nibbles were on offer, and tempting displays of brilliantly made Christmas cakes, chutneys, cards, jewelery, knitted items, olive wood sculptures, painted tee-shirts and lots lots more.

The other fair - at Holy Trinity Anglican church - also an annual must-go, must-be-seen-at event, was on Saturday morning and included tombola, white elephant stall and a raffle.

Before we know it we will be into carol-singing, Christingle service, and all the Corfiot pre-Christmas celebrations. There is one notable exception this year - no Christmas charter flight, for the first time in sixteen years. I'm going to miss the social event of waiting at the airport for loved-ones with the arrivals hall full of familiar faces. This year everyone is coming in dribs and drabs, spread over Olympic and Aegean flights so it won't be quite the same.
Susan