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Italian Christmas Decorations:
Mangers and Ceppo
Get here some background information regarding the traditional italian christmas decorations like mangers and ceppo including some shopping tips.
Our modern tradition of Christmas began in Italy when in A.D. 274 Emperor Aurelian declared December 25 to be the date Christ's birth. The choice of this date was a way to replace the non-Christian winter solstice holiday to celebrate the birth of the sun.
first nativity scene credited to St. Francis of Assisi
The first nativity scene is credited to St. Francis of Assisi who sought to use a visual means to convey the story of the birth of Christ to an illiterate population.
Although St. Francis probably was not the first to erect a nativity scene, he certainly was the first to popularize it.
St. Francis set his manger, filled with straw, in a cave on the outskirts of the city, and used local townspeople dressed in biblical robes. He also used live animals. A life-size figure of the baby Jesus was placed in the manger. People traveled great distances to witness this living nativity drama, and experience the meaning of Christmas.
Known as presepio
In addition to his nativity scene, St. Francis is also credited with the first Christmas carols. Taking traditional tunes, St. Francis added religious lyrics related to the birth of Christ.
Over time, St. Francis' nativity gained further popularity and became known as the "presepio" or "presepe."
Traditional Italian nativity scenes
Other towns began to display their own nativity scenes, and soon individual families began to display them in their homes.
Traditional Italian nativity scenes include a manger with the baby Jesus, Mary and Joseph, a shepherd, the three wise men, and animals. Quite often these typical italian christmas decorations are hand-carved. Representations of the local town, or even Bethlehem, may be depicted around the manger.
In more recent times, a Santa Claus and wooden toys have also come to be part of the nativity scene.
Variety of materials and sizes
Mangers and the participants of the nativity come in a variety of materials, although wood seems to be the most traditional and coveted. Mangers also come in a variety of sizes. Some are appropriate for inside the house, others for setting up outside. The act of choosing a manger and nativity scene is important because it is something that may be handed down for generations.
Naples - city of the best mangers
Although there is great competition throughout Italy for the best mangers, the city of Naples continues to be renowned for producing the best mangers. They tend to be very elaborate, and are often handmade. Some are even antiques.
Ceppo - the italian christmas tree
In addition to the mangers as italian christmas decorations, Italians also display a "Ceppo" or Christmas tree. The Ceppo is a wooden tree, several feet high, and shaped like a pyramid. It has three tiers.
The lower tier contains the manger and nativity scene. The middle tier is adorned with fruit, nuts, candies, and gifts. The upper tier may have a star, an angel, or a pineapple, the pineapple being a symbol of hospitality. Often, the Ceppo will be lighted with candles.
Thus, the Ceppo is known as the "Tree of Light." Ornaments for the Ceppo are often made of glass.
long tradition
The tradition of Christmas decoration in Italy has a long history. Italian artisans have become among the most proficient in depicting the nativity event. And among the Italian artisans, those of Naples continue to produce the most sought after mangers and Christmas decorations.
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