If you choose Christmas time to come to Italy, you’re in good company. As a matter of fact Rome has just been named as the best European city for a festive Christmas break after a poll conducted by EasyJet among British travellers.
But before coming, take a look at these 10 facts you should know about Christmas traditions in Italy.
1. Christmas festivities don’t end on December 25
In Italy the holiday spirit begins on December 8th, day of the Immaculate Conception (Immacolata Concezione), when many Italians traditionally decorate their Christmas trees and put up Nativity scenes. It ends on January 6th, the Epiphany. So usually companies, and always schools, close for two weeks from December 24th (Christmas Eve) till the Epifania as we call it in Italian.
2. Gifts – When will you open yours?
Depending on the region, gifts could be opened on Saint Lucy’s Day (December 13th) in many Northern hamlets where Santa Lucia brings gifts to children or on Christmas Eve and then again on the Epiphany on January 6th. That’s the day when the Befana arrives. She is a broom-riding old lady that fills the stockings of the good children all over Italy with sweets and leaves a lump of coal for the naughty ones.
3. Nativity scenes in Italy
The presepe or Nativity scene is one of the most important decorations at Christmas. They are carefully arranged in churches as well as other public areas and family homes.
Traditionally the figurine of baby Jesus is not added until Christmas Eve. Also the Three Wise Men are added on January 6th.
It represents the Holy Family in the stable. The largest ones include the whole town of Bethlehem with animals, houses and people going on about their daily lives. Sometimes there’s a contemporary twist, so don’t be surprised to bump into a footballer or a politician. These unique figurines are typically made in Naples where the making of Christmas cribs is an ancient art which has been mastered for many centuries and you can find many shops in the famous San Gregorio Armeno street.
But many places also organize the presepe vivente (living nativity scene) re-enacted within the streets of Medieval hamlets.
4. Bagpipe Players: a Scotland or an Italian Tradition?
We are not in Scotland, but if you happen to visit Rome or Southern Italy during the festive period, keep an eye out for the zampognari, or bagpipe players. They play in streets and squares, normally dressed in traditional sheepskin and wool cloaks and symbolise the arrival of the shepherds to greet the baby Jesus.
5. Panettone or pandoro?
You may have heard of the two traditional Italian Christmas cakes, panettone and pandoro. The first is a sweet bread filled with raisins and candied fruit while the other is a tall, star-shaped cake sprinkled with icing sugar. There’s no Christmas without panettone and pandoro. Nowadays they are prepared in so many delicious variants.
Each Italian region has its own Christmas desserts, but these two are common to the entire peninsula.
6. Christmas bonus
December is the month when many workers are eagerly awaiting for their tredicesima (13th month pay), an extra month’s salary that arrives just in time for gift shopping.
7. On Christmas Eve don’t eat meat
The traditional Christmas Eve dinner is meatless. A wealth of fish dishes can be prepared with some regional specialties depending on the area.
After dinner, many Catholic people attend the Midnight Mass.
8. The tombola season
Another tradition spreading across the country is playing tombola. A game similar to bingo that gathers everyone from kids to elders.
9. Italians favourite game: le carte
Not only tombola. The other typical Italian game for Christmas is carte using mainly the cards from Piacenza or those from Naples. After every meal, the table is cleared and the carte are out.
Each region has its own variants of some games which are common in all of Italy.
10. Christmas markets pop up everywhere
Christmas markets in Italy are a great way to experience the local culture. You can have delicious food, meet people and get gifts.
The best ones are in the Bolzano and South Tyrol area, in the cities of Milan, Rome, Venice and Florence, but you can find them almost anywhere in Italy.
Tell us what’s your favourite Italian Christmas tradition.
Buon Natale!