ChristmasChristmas

Here in Italy, Christmas is very Here in Italy, Christmas is very special...special...

On December 8th we On December 8th we do not go to school do not go to school and at home we and at home we prepare for prepare for Christmas ... the crib Christmas ... the crib and the tree.and the tree.

The Christmas treeThe Christmas tree

Many people bring home a fake tree.Many people bring home a fake tree.

It can be of various sizes and It can be of various sizes and sometimes different colours.sometimes different colours.

It is decorated with many colorful It is decorated with many colorful accessories, ribbons and lights.accessories, ribbons and lights.

The cribThe crib in Italy is a religious symbol The crib in Italy is a religious symbol

that represents the birth of baby Jesus that represents the birth of baby Jesus with Mary and Joseph.with Mary and Joseph.

It takes a lot of patience to make a It takes a lot of patience to make a crib, because it is a very hard work: crib, because it is a very hard work:

the landscape, the characters are the landscape, the characters are positioned according to their size, then positioned according to their size, then

you put the various buildings in the you put the various buildings in the foreground and then the hut with Mary foreground and then the hut with Mary and Joseph. The baby Jesus is added on and Joseph. The baby Jesus is added on

Christmas Eve.Christmas Eve.

During the Christmas period on During the Christmas period on the windows and balconies the windows and balconies many colored lights are hung. many colored lights are hung. They illuminate the Christmas They illuminate the Christmas atmosphere in the streets. Even atmosphere in the streets. Even the shopping malls hang lights the shopping malls hang lights and decorations for the event.and decorations for the event.

The centre of Rome The centre of Rome becomes very beautiful. For becomes very beautiful. For example, in Piazza Navona example, in Piazza Navona there are many stalls that there are many stalls that

sell games or cakes. As it is sell games or cakes. As it is a large square, the sights a large square, the sights

are many and many.are many and many.

Santa ClausSanta Claus

In Italy Santa Claus In Italy Santa Claus brings gifts to children brings gifts to children who behave well, then at who behave well, then at midnight every child midnight every child gets up and goes to gets up and goes to unwrap gifts with the unwrap gifts with the whole family.whole family.

FinallFinally...y...