Christmas In Italy
By: Gaige Wock
An Italian Christmas
Merry Christmas - Buon Natale
Traditional Foods Eaten at Christmas
Usually no meats and sometimes no dairies are eaten on Christmas Eve. Seafood is a common meal, and depending on your religion, different fish are eaten. A type of cake called Panettone is like a dry fruit/sponge cake. They also have hot chocolate! They have a dish called the dish of 7 fishes which many people have different beliefs on what the dish represents.
Panettone
This is a Panettone, which is a dry fruity sponge cake.
Babbo Natale
Italy's Santa looks a lot like ours, but he isn't the main one and doesn't bring many presents.
Bafena
Bafena is the main Santa but she only comes January 6.
Does Italy have a Santa?
Yes, Italy does have Santa. His name is Babbo Natale. Someone named Befana comes only on Epiphany (or January 6) ,and the Three Kings might bring presents too.
What other Christmas symbols represent Italy?
Creppo is something that is burnt through the Christmas season. In Naples, they have a Nativity scenes in the streets people can buy cribs which represent the birth of Jesus. Italian children go caroling dressed like shepherds. Another Nativity scene might be presented in a triangle, but sometimes a star is hung in the top of the pyramid
What are other Christmas traditions?
In Naples, a Nativity Scene is called ‘Via San Gregorio Armeno'. At twilight, candles are lit around a family crib called “Presipio.”. Prayers are also said, while children recite poems.
How long does Christmas last?
Christmas lasts 3 weeks. It starts December 8 and ends January 6, which is almost a whole month.
Why do they celebrate Christmas in Italy?
They celebrate Christmas because of the birth of Jesus. The Nativity scene is one of the representations of the birth of Jesus.
Nativity Scenes
A Nativity Scene is like a little set that depicts the birth of Baby Jesus.
Urn of Fate
The Urn of Fate is a urn which is like a vase that you pull a present out of.
Christmas Market
There is A big Christmas market that sells foods, sweets, gifts.
Is music part of their Christmas?
Christmas caroling is an important tradition for Christmas. Bagpipers come to towns to play their flutes and bagpipes. They are the symbol of the shepherds going to find baby Jesus.
Does it snow on Christmas?
No It Doesn’t snow in Italy because of how hot it is.
Do They exchange presents?
They also have something called the Urn of Fate, which you can pull a present out of. They do not exchange gifts but the Urn of Fate is a big vase like thing but you only get to pull one present out.
Do they Put up a Christmas tree?
St. Peter’s Cathedral in Vatican City puts up a big Christmas tree. They also have a Christmas market that puts up a huge Christmas tree. The market is a lot of tents selling food, sweets, gifts.
Work Cited
"Astrology on the Web: The Living Signs (3)." Astrology on the Web: The Living Signs (3). N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Dec. 2015."Best Italian Christmas Markets | Christmas in Italy." Italcult. N.p., 15 Dec. 2014. Web. 16 Dec. 2015."Christmas Around the World: Christmas Traditions and Celebrations Worldwide." Christmas Around the World: Christmas Traditions and Celebrations Worldwide. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Dec. 2015."Christmas Traditions, Christmas History, Christmas Around the World, The Christmas Story and Christmas Fun and Games! - Whychristmas?com." Christmas Traditions, Christmas History, Christmas Around the World, The Christmas Story and Christmas Fun! N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Dec. 2015."Holiday Traditions." Holiday Traditions. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Dec. 2015."Merry Christmas." 2015. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Dec. 2015."Index of /traditions." Index of /traditions. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Dec. 2015.