Welcome to Italy!
We celebrate Christmas with our families. We decorate Christmas trees with stars, bows, glass baubles, lights, sweets, little angels, coloured pinecones,etc.
Almost every house has the Nativity Crib this is a true Italian tradition
Children write letters to "Babbo Natale" (Santa Claus), some days before Christmas. They usually ask for some toys, books, computer games, etc...
We listen to Christmas songs, but we don't usually sing them in the street. Sometimes there are Christmas concerts.
On Christmas Eve some families join and have a special dinner then they go to the Mass at midnight.
In the morning children get up early to open their presents. But we have to say that in some Italian regions children receive their presents in Saint Lucy's Day ( 13th December).
Christmas dinner is very big, there are five or six courses including several starters, lasagne, soup, fish or meat and vegetables, cheese, fresh fruit and the traditional cake which is called "panettone". We usually drink sparkling wine with it.
NEW N EW YEAR YEA R
In ItalyOne of the oldest traditions for the New Year, is fireworks at midnight. In some regions we also get rid of old things, in particular dishes and furniture.
LA BEFANA La Befana is an old woman who delivers gifts to children on the night of January 5. Children leave their socks at the bottom of their beds and she flls them with candy and presents if they are good or a lump of coal or dark candy if they are bad.
WE HOPE YOU ENJOYED TO READ ABOUT OUR TRADITIONS
MAY YOUR CHRISTMAS BE BRIGHT AND CHEERFUL AND MAY 2011 BE A FANTASTIC YEAR
YOUR ITALIAN FRIENDS