Italian Christmas Traditions

Posted by Lorri Brown Dec 15, 2006

In Italy, celebrating Christmas begins eight days before Christmas Day, during the Novena. The main celebration takes place on Christmas Eve, rather than Christmas Day, and continues until the Epiphany (January 6). Children do not write lists to Santa Clause (in Italy, Santa has been replaced by a flying witch). Instead, children write letters of love to parents, placing them under their father’s dinner plate to be opened after the large Christmas Eve feast.

The earliest Christmas celebrations in Italy took place well before Jesus was born. In Ancient Rome, people celebrated the winter solstice with great feasting and bonfires. During this ancient ritual, called Saturnalia, cattle were slaughtered so they would not have to be fed during the long winter. For most people, especially peasants, it was the only time of year with an abundance of fresh meat available. With all the extra food and fermented ale, the timing was perfect for a celebration! As Christianity spread throughout the Roman Empire, Church officials thought of a clever way to convert pagans, by celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ at the same time as Saturnalia. Christmas in Italian is called “Il Natale,” which means birthday.

On Christmas Eve, children set their shoes by the fireplace, to be filled with small gifts and candy by a witch called La Befana. According to legend, the three wise men stopped at the home of La Befana, seeking directions. They invited her to go with them and meet Jesus, but she refused. Later that evening she changed her mind. Gathering up toys from her own child, who had died, she flew off to meet Jesus. However, she lost her way, and has been flying ever since. On Christmas Eve, she stops at every child’s house and leaves a gift, just in case Jesus is there.