Christmas In Italy

Christmas was born in Italy.

This magnificent event appeared after Christinization by Church of the
Saturnalia festival. In 274 a.Ch. the emperor Aurelian decreed that the day of 25th
December, the day of solstice in Iulian calendar to become “natalis solis invinctes”.
By designation of the day of 25th December the day of Jesus birth, the chrstians of
Rome attacked the roman paganism.
Traditions in Italian Christmas
Italians, especially those in the north of the country, have a habit of decorating a tree in the
middle of the house, but according to tradition, children does not address Santa's letters in which
they ask him to bring them presents their favorite, but send letters by their parents, among which
expresses love for them. This letters are placed, usually under their father's plate, they read aloud
immediately after the Christmas dinner.
Ceppo is a wooden structure up to a meter or so in a pyramid. This skeletons are placed on several
shelves, the bottom is, usually, a scene reserved for the birthday of Jesus, the top being destined
candy, fruit and presents. Ceppo, called "shaft of light", is decorated with colored paper pine
cones wrapped in tinfoil and small flags. Small candles are secured to the protrusion and the top of
the pyramid sits a star or a small doll.
Italians in the traditional calendar, December 25 is not
only carries a special significance in the cold season.
Throughout the entire month of December and into early
January, is conducting a series of very important religious
holidays ...
-6 December – La Festa di San Nicola:The feast of Saint
Nicholas, the patron of sheppards, is celebrated in cities
like Pollutri by litting up fires under huge cauldrons
where ”fave” is cooked.
-8 December - Limmaculata Concezione: The celebration
of the birth of the mother of Jesus
-13 December - La Festa di Santa Lucia:The feast of
Saint Lucia
-24 December - La Vigilia di Natale: The Christmas Eve
-25 December - Natale: The Christmas

The scene tradition of Jesus' birth in Italy -26 December - La festa di Santo Stefano : The day of
In Italy, one of the most important Christmas Saint Steven, what marks the news of the birth of Jesus
traditions is the "manger" (il Presepe), the Saviour's and the arrival of the 3 Magi.
birth scene.
-31 December - La festa di San Silvestro : The feast of
On the 8th December is adorned Christmas tree the Saint Silvester and the new year eve.
and reconstruct the scene of Jesus' birth with the
help of statues representing all the beings who were -1 January - Il Capodanno : The first day of the new year.
present around the baby: Mary, Joseph, the three
wise men (Gaspar, Melchior and Balthasar), -6 January - La Festa dell Epiphania : The Epiphany
shepherds, angels and stable animals that have
warmed on the baby with their breath.
Holy Child statue will be kept aside until Christmas Eve when it will find its place in the manger,
being placed by the youngest family member.
It is said that the tradition of "manger" dates back to St. Francis of Assisi, who made in 1223
the first representation with vivid characters to explain to people how the Savior was born.
In time "The Manger" have become works of art and are always present in the Italians homes.
Urn of Destiny is an old tradition in Italy, in which each family member must extract a gift packed
in a large bowl decorated until all the gifts are shared within it.
Zampognari and Pifferi. In Rome and around the Italian capital, inhabitants of the Abruzzi
mountains, dressed in traditional clothes of wool, wearing knee shoes, white socks and long black
robes, singing of bagpipes and flutes delighting crowds gathered around churches.

La Befana is a good witch who brings gifts to children on the occasion of the celebration of the Epiphany of 6
January. According to legend, the three wise men stopped to ask the Befana in what direction you should be heading
to reach Bethlehem and invited her to join them ... Witch refused, just by doing and later when a sheppard urged her
to go with him to honor the baby Jesus. After nightfall, she saw a big light in the sky, which made her wonder if
somehow wrong rejecting the offer of the three Magi, so he gathered several children's toys they leave on this world
and it ran trying to catch up with the magi and the sheppard. Befana not managed to find, as was unsuccessful in
discovering the stable of his birth Jesus .Of this reason, every year, she strives to trace the path of Jesus, and because
she is not able to find it, gives gifts to good children and lumps of coal (or "carbone dolce", a candy-like carbon)

Christmas diner in Italy

Cappon magro ( Liguria) is an elaborate salad of seafood and vegetables over a cracker arranged into a
decorative pyramid and dressed with a rich sauce. Cappon magro means 'fast-day capon'. As the dish
contains no ingredients considered meat under the rules of traditional Catholic fasting, so it is a suitable
meal for Christmas Eve.
Tortellini in Brodo (Tortellini In Broth) ( Emilia Romagna) is a must for Xmas Homemade egg-pasta
is rolled paper-thin to wrap up little bits of meat-based filling, cooked and served in hot broth.
Baccalà Con Peperoni Cruschi (Cod with Fried Peppers) ( BASILICATA) is a codfish dish. Sun-dried
bell peppers dropped into hot oil for a few seconds top this delicious food.
Minestra Maritata (“Married” Soup) ( CAMPANIA) consists of a base of chicory and escarole in a a
chicken soup to with eggs beaten with hot pepper and bits of veal are added.
Capitone Alla Brace (Grilled Eel) (PUGLIA) is grilled ell and seasoned with spices and seeds. It is
served with local greens. Grilling the eel eliminates the excess fat and makes it easier to digest.