It’s that time again to offer some Christmas gift ideas for those who are Greek, wish you were Greek or you have a Greek in your life that you would like to buy a present for. I’ve gathered an array of gift ideas, some are stocking stuffers, some small gifts, some bigger and something for everyone.
Greece has qualified for the World Cup of soccer , being hosted in Brazil next year and everyone should have a Greek National soccer jersey as we cheer on our team.
One again this past summer I visited the Acropolis Museum and if you haven’t been there yet, you should work it into your schedule if you’re going to Greece next year. The museum has a fantastic gift shop and there were lot of things I wished I could have brought back. No worries, GreekShops has lots of items for you to choose from, like the Owl of Athena.
Toronto boasts of having one of North America’s largest and most vibrant Greek communities and now you can take yourself, family and friends on a Discover Greektown on the Danforth Food & Cultural Walking Tour. Book now or buy gift certificates.
Since you’re going to Greece, I assume you’ll be traveling with family or friends, no? When I travel anywhere, I like to do my homework – be prepared. Buy a Travel Guide to Greece.
Greece is still going through some difficult times and thankfully there are many organizations that are helping those who are truly in need. In Athens, there’s an organization called “Boroume” (We Can) that works with restaurants, corporations with many volunteers to help feed the hungry of the city. You can help by making a donation.
Us Greeks love our ice coffees or cafe frappe. Here at home, I use a Hamilton-Beach Drink Mixer to make frappes for myself and friends. No more using the shaker…this whips up a frappe in seconds!
If you’re in the Toronto area, treat yourself to a Greek-style Christmas dinner. I’ll be cooking at Megas Restaurant in the city’s Greektown. Some seats still available.
Kolonaki Group here in Ontario has been bringing Greek wine and spirits to Canadians and this season they are also delighted to send out gift boxes with some of Greece’s best beverages. Email at sales@kolonakigroup.com or call at 416-630-7392.
The holidays are always a good time to catch up on some movies. Why not purchase and watch Zorba the Greek?
Greeks love to play Tavli…aka backgammon. Wouldn’t the backgammon gamer love to receive this board for Christmas? I may take up playing backgammon again just to lay this out on the table. Michaud Board Games are Canadian, handmade of all wood.
Last year I splurged on a Kitchenaid Stand Mixer and it’s been one of the best kitchen appliance investments ever! Buy a Kitchenid for someone who loves to cook. You can also buy pasta making attachment, sausage maker and meat grinder, etc.
How about some cologne for the fella in your life? Versace’s Eros Gift Set would appeal to the Greek man.
Victoria Hislop has also written a book called “The Thread” that centers around the lives of Asia Minor Greeks who resettled in Thessaloniki.
Buy the documentary, Man of Grease, a fascinated story about a Greek who’s spent over 30 years tending to his greasy spoon in Montreal and his overdue return to Greece.
Treat your lady to some Greek Key Bedding/Sheets, made of Egyptian cotton percale.
Buy some T-shirts for your children or grandchildren…Papou and Yiayia Love Me!
Purchase a subscription to Odyssey magazine.
Last but not least, My first cookbook, Everything Mediterranean Cookbook is now on sale and you may order from Amazon and have it delivered on time for Christmas.
BONUS: I’m giving way 5 ….FIVE cookbooks to ten lucky people who leave a comment below this post (on my blog) with their Greek gift-giving idea. What present would you give to the Greek in your life?
(deadline for entering giveaway is December 18, 2013
A Greek Koutala is a must in evey kitchen…tha fas xilo! LOL!
http://www.kantyli.com/Tha-fas-xilo-and-Tha-se-vraso-koutalas_p_832.html
To me the greatest ‘Greek” gift I could give my loved one would be a big barrel of Greek feta!! I can’t think of anything better; to wake up on Christmas morning and have a beautiful barrel decorated in the living room, full of luscious, mourth watering Greek feta. OOPA!! We could eat feta all day long, all month long. I imagine shipping an entire barrel would be expensive, but for the love of another, and for the love of feta, and for the love of that special time of year, I think it would be worth it. Judith
“Everything’ for me and the end results for the Greeks ! and Serbs ! and Russians !
Basile Growing Up Greek dvd’s for some great standup comedy Greek could love..
Btw see you in Chicago at Avli in January
Love this list! I highly recommend “The Thread” as a wonderful book. My only additional suggestion is to buy an Orthodox Icon (http://greekshops.com/Greek_Orthodox_Icons.html?cdi=5)
Well, one year I gave my Baba some homemade kourabiedes, and he really seemed to enjoy that – sometimes the best gifts are home-made!
A thoughtful gift would be a nice basket with a few favorite Greek products (like pistachio nuts from Aigina, Makedoniko Halva, or Bite-Size Loukoumia) and your “Everything Mediterranean Cookbook”!
Who wouldn’t love to be the recipient of a gift like this?
pandofles… for wearing or chasing the kids around with..lol.. :)
the cookbook
What a wonderful post! Our favorite Greek gifts are homemade baklava (for teachers and neighbors), and donations to the IOCC (International Orthodox Christian Charities) for family (in their honor.)
You forgot the ever-popular box of desserts… or maybe that’s just what I like to receive… :-)
I remember the days of baking with my mom, so gift trays of baklava are a must. I also love cooking themed gifts, like a basil plant, or a rosemary Christmas tree, lemons, good Greek olive oil, and blue and white dish towel.
some great greek olive oil.
As a Greek born in the 70s here in Australia. I grew up with the 1950s family style upbringing of Greek culture and food! Now 40 with an Italian Australian born wife and 2 great kids. I cannot express my gratitude to Peter & kalofagas website as my alternative ideas of Greek food, especially the tips and well understood recipes! Lets just say my cooking is renowned to please during festive times here! But the credit really needs to go to Peter and my mum!
Thanks Peter
I love to give my non-greek friends a greek bottle opener – owl, mati, hand of fatima – they come in very handy on the next bottle of mythos
“The Greek Passion” by Nikos Kazantzakis
To greek and non-greek friend(s) and family alike, I would give lots of love, a personal poem, and a bowl of homemade cookies and cakes… Then we could all read poetry by the fireplace, sip tea, and later go outside to snowfight… My ideal Christmas
This may be the ultimate gift for the paranoid traveler – a trip insurance policy that can be customized to include just about anything, for a price – even for full medical evacuation from that wondrously remote Greek island or “Changed your mind” and “I have to work” insurance policies, in addition to the more routine lost luggage and delayed flight options.
melomakarona and homemade chocolates ala Greek bakeries of course
A nice gift would be Greek coffee to go along with a new briki and a platter of homemade melomakarona.