Native foliage decoration
Native to the Mediterranean, the evergreen wild strawberry trees and bushes 'Arbutus undo' are laden with bright red fruit in winter. It is the custom in Kefalonia to use this sweet crimson berry used for making jam and liqueurs. At Christmas time, islanders also decorate their homes with branches of the arbutus and myrtle trees.
Christmas Bread
Traditionally, homes will bake 'Christmas bread', decorated with almonds and walnuts in the sign of the cross. This special bread is can also be bought from the local baker. Known as the 'Christopsomo', which means Christ's bread, years ago, this loaf was held over the embers of the fire by the head of the family who would then trickle olive oil over the bread saying 'Christ is born the light grows stronger'. Each member of the family would be given a piece and in turn would distribute what was left to the family's animals, as a memento and contribution for the donkey who once provided comfort for Mary on her journey to Bethlehem and the warmth the sheep, goats, cows and other animals gave to Christ at his birth in and around the stable.
