Today we continue our journey into the Christmas traditions of another PROBATIONET partner: Italy!
Christmas holidays in Italy start with the Day of Immaculate Conception, on December 8th. Most families use this day to get together and start decorating their Christmas trees. The festive season then runs until Epiphany on January 6th.
Of course, Christmas is the time to indulge and enjoy yourself to the fullest.
That’s why Italians celebrate Christmas Eve with a large feast known as La Vigilia on December 24th. Traditionally, Italian Christmas Eve dinner is a meat-free meal. According to an old Catholic tradition, it’s meant to purify your body ahead of a religious celebration. So, instead of meat, it’s all about seafood.
The following day is known for…well, eating, again!
One of the most loved Italian Christmas traditions is presepe or nativity scenes. Nativity scenes depicting the birth of Jesus are spread throughout homes, churches and squares all over Italy. In fact, it seems that no matter where you’re in the country, there’s always one close by.
It’s time for the final festive moment: La Befana! On Epiphany Eve, January 5th, children leave their shoes or socks out to be filled with candy. Just like Santa, La Befana comes down the chimney and leaves a treat for little kids while they’re asleep. Unless you didn’t behave of course. The only thing that naughty kids will find is a lump of charcoal in their shoes!
Legend has it that Befana was an old Italian lady who wanted to bring gifts to Baby Jesus but got lost. Since then she’s been trying to find her way to Bethlehem each year on January 6th, flying from one house to another on her broom. With that, she’s said to sweep away any unhappy thoughts or bad deeds of the previous year.
