Christmas in Italy

 

Where in the World is Italy?
Italy is located on the continent of Europe. It looks like a boot. It is a peninsula. A peninsula has water on three sides. People who live in Italy are called Italians. They speak the Italian language. Their Christmas greeting is Buon Natale. This means Good Christmas.

When is Christmas Celebrated?
The Christmas season starts eight days before Christmas Day. Christmas Day is celebrated on December 25. The Christmas season ends on January 6. Italians call January 6 the Epiphany. It is the day the three kings brought gifts to the baby Jesus.

The weather on Christmas Day is different in different parts of Italy. In the north there are mountains. It can be cold and snowy in the mountains. The south part of Italy is by the Mediterranean Sea. It can be warm and sunny by the sea.

Is there a Special Gift-Giver?
In Italy, many children believe in two gift-givers. Babbo Natale means Father Christmas. He is like Santa Claus. He brings gifts on Christmas Day.

Another gift-giver is Befana. Befana is a kind, old witch. She brings gifts to the children on January 6. There is a legend about Befana. A legend is like a very old story. Some Italians believe that Befana talked to the three kings. The three kings invited her to visit the baby Jesus. Befana said she was too busy. She was busy sweeping.

Then Befana changed her mind. She took little gifts and went looking for the three kings on her broom. She didn't find them. Many children believe Befana is still looking for the baby Jesus. She looks every year on the Epiphany. She stops at every house where children live. She thinks one of the children might be the baby Jesus. She leaves gifts for every child.

How do the Italians decorate their houses?
Many Italian houses are decorated with a presepios. A presepios is a manager. Inside the manager the Italians put a nativity scene. The manager is a very popular in Italy.

Some families decorate a Christmas tree. They decorate the tree with ornaments. Some families also hang stockings. They hang the stockings on fireplaces or walls. Children find gifts in the stockings on the Epiphany.

What special food do they eat?
Many people stop eating before Christmas Eve. They stop eating for 24 hours. This is called fasting. Then they eat a big meal on Christmas Eve night. The meal can last many hours.

People in Italy eat different kinds of holiday food. Some Italians eat chicken and stuffing. Other families eat baked eel or pasta.

Many Italians make panettone. This is a cake made with raisons and candied fruit. Many families give this cake as gifts.

What are some other special traditions?
In some Italian families children write letters to their parents. In the letter, the children wish their parents a happy Christmas. They promise to be good during the next year. The letters are read during Christmas dinner.

Some Italian children dress as shepherds on December 23. They do this to remember the shepherds on the first Christmas. They also act out the Christmas story in school.