Italian Christmas Tradition

What is a typical Italian Christmas Tradition? Read here everything you need to know on italian christmas.
Christmas is one of the most celebrated occasions in the world. However, Christmas is celebrated with a significant number of differences from one country to another.

Children write letters to their parents

Italian Christmas History

The roots of modern Christmas started in Italy. Christmas was declared by Emperor Aurelian in A.D. 274 to be celebrated on December 25th every year. The early Roman Christians felt that it is important to create a feast day that takes place during the winter solstice, which is also the birth of the sun.

Christmas in Italy begins 8 days before Christmas, called the Novena, which is on December 17th. It lasts until January 6th, also known as "Little Christmas". During the Novena, children will go from house to house to sing and give recitations to honour the shepherds’ journey to the manger.

Christmas Gifts

Most Italians open their gifts on Christmas morning or after lunch. Some will wait until January 6th. Children will receive colourful stockings full of candies called i dolciumi if they have been good. They will receive il carbone, which is candies made of black sugar that look like coal, if they have been bad.

Italians believe in the witch, La Befana. It is said that La Befana was supposed to join the Three Wise Men to Bethlehem to pay respect to baby Jesus and she got lost. Since then, she has been looking for baby Jesus and left presents for the children in Italy and coal-like candies for the bad.

Food & Drinks

Most Italian feasts will have dishes of fish. The il capitone, a dish made with fried eels is a favourite in Rome and southern Italy.

The Christmas Day lunch is the most significant of the entire Christmas feast. Dishes such as "lo zampone", a pig's foot stuffed with spiced minced meat, or "il cotechino", sausages made of pig's intestines, are popular in northern Italy. Lamb is also enjoyed with mashed potato and lentils.

Italians love desserts such as nougat and the Milanese fruitcake called il panettone. The traditional cake is gold bread, il pandoro. It is similar to il panettone, only without fruits or raisins. Gingerbread with hazelnuts, honey and almonds, il panforte, is also common.

- italian christmas recipes

- italian christmas cookies

Italian Christmas Customs

Travelling pipers perform traditional Christmas tunes on bagpipes, flutes, and oboes all over Italy. In Rome, pipers will usually play at the Christmas market in Piazza Navona, on the Spanish Steps, and at St. Peter’s Square entrance.

One of Italian Christmas symbols is the ceppo, known as The Tree of Light. It is a several feet high, pyramid shape wooden frame. The ceppo supports several tiers of shelves, including a manger scene at the bottom, followed by little offerings of fruits, candies and presents above it.

It is decorated with coloured papers, gild pinecones, and mini coloured flags. Small candles are lighted at the ceppo’s sides, and a star or a small doll is hung at its top.

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Urn of Fate

Many Italians particularly those living in the Vatican City will usually go to the Vatican Square at noon on Christmas Day. At this time, the Pope will appear at his balcony and blesses the people who gathered below.

Conclusion

Italians still adhere to their family traditions in celebrating Christmas. Rich in culture and beliefs, the Italians’ way of celebrating Christmas is indeed unique and special.

Christmas is not only a day of receiving presents, but also giving and having a feast full of love with the family.