THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT IS ALREADY EVIDENT IN THE STREETS OF ATHENS.AND DESPITE THE GOVERNMENT BAN ON THE CUTTING OF FIR TREES THEY ARE BEING TRANSPORTED INTO THE CAPITAL BY THE TENS OF THOUSANDS.

THE POST-ELECTION MOOD OF ATHENS IS A GAY ONE AND SHOPS ARE GAUDILY DISPLAYING TOYS FOR ALL TASTES.MULTI-COLOURED LIGHTS HAVE SPRUNG UP AT VANTAGE POINTS WHILE THE APPEARANCE OF SANTA CLAUS IN THE STREETS HAS BECOME A COMMON SIGHT.

IN THE TAVERNS AND NIGHT CLUBS THE DECOR IS BEING CHANGED FOR THE CHRISTMAS SPREE.INDICATIONS ARE THAT IT WILL BE A BOOM SEASON FOR THE REVELLERS AND TRADERS ALIKE.

FOR MANY A LOTTERY TICKET HOLDS THE KEY TO A SECURE FUTURE AND IN THE PRE-CHRISTMAS MONTHS SALES OF TICKETS SPIRAL.THIS YEAR IS NO DIFFERENT.