Christmas in Italy

  

Christmas in Italy

 

Italy is a European country whose capital is Rome. Today we will tell you about the traditions and Christmas meals in Italy. Let's start with Christmas traditions:

 

In Italy Christmas begins on December 8 as it is the day of the Immaculate Conception. It is tradition to put up the Christmas tree and prepare the nativity scene. The most famous cribs are the one in Naples for its figures of celebrities and the one in Greccio. In Greccio, Italian tradition says that St. Francis of Assisi set up the first nativity scene in history in 1223.

 

Christmas markets

Christmas is a fantastic excuse to spend time with the family so another Christmas tradition in Italy is to enjoy the Christmas markets.

 

Babbo Natale and the Befana.

In Italy Santa Claus is known as Babbo Natale and brings gifts to all the bambinos on December 24. The figure of the Befana brings the Christmas season to an end on January 6. On the back of his broomstick he delivers sweets to the good children and coal to the bad ones.

 

 

Ceppo di Natale

The Ceppo di Natale is a tradition that began in the eleventh and twelfth centuries. Its main purpose is to honor nature. The tradition consists of burning a thick log from Christmas Eve to Epiphany. The ashes that remain are kept until the following Christmas as a symbol of good omens.

 

Christmas food

La Vigilia di Natale: Christmas Eve dinner.

Catholic tradition forbids eating meat the night before a religious holiday, so the whole family gathers to enjoy fish, fried vegetables, tartlets and of course: pasta with its different variations.

 

Natale: Christmas Day meal

The Natale meal often begins with a traditional Italian antipasti that includes salami and prosciutto, olives, roasted peppers, artichokes, local Italian cheese and more. The next dishes include pasta, with lasagna bolognese, ravioli or pasta al forno.

 

 

No Christmas party in Italy would be complete without the variety of sweets and desserts. There is the Panettone which is a sweet fruit bread, Pandoro which is a star-shaped butter cake, Struffoli are delicious fried dumplings that are traditionally dipped in a honey syrup and Torrone which is the Italian equivalent of turron, among many others.

 

Christmas in Rome

Christmas in Rome is lived in a special way, both in the religious aspect and for the activities that flood the city: we will find music and Christmas lights in the oldest streets of the historic center of Rome.

 

Among the most interesting proposals is the Exhibition of the 100 Nativity Scenes. In Piazza Navona is held the traditional Christmas market full of typical Christmas symbols, such as the Befana, crib figures, and decorations.

 

Finally we will tell you some Christmas greetings in Italian.

· Ti auguro un sereno e dolce Natale - I wish you a peaceful and sweet Christmas.

· Buon Natale e Felice Anno Nuovo a te e alla tua famiglia - Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family.

· Auguri di buone feste. Spero che l'anno nuovo sia pieno di belle sorprese - I wish you happy holidays. I hope the new year will be full of surprises.

· Con l'augurio che il Santo Natale vi porti infinita serenità - I wish you that this Christmas brings you much serenity.

 

 

Grazie per averci ascoltato e buon Natale!