Let’s discover the Christmas traditions in Italy together!

IN ITALY CHRISTMAS IS A VERY HAPPY FESTIVITY. IN IN ITALY CHRISTMAS IS A VERY HAPPY FESTIVITY. IN DECEMBER PEOPLE START DECORATING THEIR HOUSES. DECEMBER PEOPLE START DECORATING THEIR HOUSES. FROM THE 22FROM THE 22NDND STUDENTS HAVE TWO WEEKS OFF FROM STUDENTS HAVE TWO WEEKS OFF FROM

SCHOOL AND THEY SPEND MORE TIME WITH THEIR PARENTS.SCHOOL AND THEY SPEND MORE TIME WITH THEIR PARENTS.DURING CHRISTMAS EVE’S NIGHT PEOPLE GO TO CHURCH.DURING CHRISTMAS EVE’S NIGHT PEOPLE GO TO CHURCH.ON THE 25ON THE 25THTH FAMILIES MEET AND CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS FAMILIES MEET AND CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS

TOGETHER.TOGETHER.IN THE MORNING CHILDREN OPEN PRESENTS BROUGHT BY IN THE MORNING CHILDREN OPEN PRESENTS BROUGHT BY

FATHER CHRISTMAS.FATHER CHRISTMAS.THEN THEY HAVE CHRISTMAS LUNCH WITH THEIR THEN THEY HAVE CHRISTMAS LUNCH WITH THEIR

RELATIVES AND GRANDPARENTS.RELATIVES AND GRANDPARENTS.IN THE AFTERNOON THEY OPEN THEIR PRESENTS.IN THE AFTERNOON THEY OPEN THEIR PRESENTS.

THE CHRISTMAS LUNCH IS ALWAYS VERY RICH AND HEARTY.

TYPICAL ITALIAN FOOD

TYPICAL CHRISTMAS DISHES ARE: TORTELLINI WITH BROTH, BOILED AND ROASTED MEAT, MILAN CAKE PANETTONE, PANDORO, A TRADITIONAL CAKE FROM VERONA AND TORRONE, MADE WITH HONEY AND ALMONDS.

Panettone

Torrone

Tortellini Pandoro

AT THE END OF THE CHRISTMAS LUNCH, ITALIANS USUALLY DRINK SPARKLING WHITE WINE TO WISH MERRY CHRISTMAS.

AFTER LUNCH PEOPLE OFTEN PLAY BINGO.

CICERCHIATACICERCHIATA is a large compound doughnut pasting with a is a large compound doughnut pasting with a particular syrup many fried dough balls.These balls, similar particular syrup many fried dough balls.These balls, similar to chick peas, are made with flour, eggs, sugar and roasted to chick peas, are made with flour, eggs, sugar and roasted almonds. Syrup is made with honey, chocolate and cocoa. almonds. Syrup is made with honey, chocolate and cocoa. Small pieces of candied fruit can be added. Small pieces of candied fruit can be added.

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People usually decorate their houses at Christmas.

They put up a Christmas tree and a crib.

Most people start putting up decorations

on the 8th of December.

The most popular Christmas decorations are:

• balls, lights and garlands hanging on the Christmas Tree;

• lights hanging on balconies;• wreaths placed on doors;• pictures and puppets representing

Father Christmas with reindeers and presents.

Trees in Italy are decorated with coloured Trees in Italy are decorated with coloured balls, glimmering garlands, stars and lights.balls, glimmering garlands, stars and lights.Presents are placed under the tree.Presents are placed under the tree.

The holy crib reproduces the nativity of The holy crib reproduces the nativity of Jesus.Jesus.

It is composed by Mary, Joseph, Baby It is composed by Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus and many other characthers.Jesus and many other characthers.

The most popular Christmas songs in Italy are Jingle Bells, Adeste Fideles, Tu scendi dalle

stelle, Astro del Ciel and others.

You can often hear them along the main streets.

Children believe that Father Christmas brings presents to all the good children and coal to the naughty ones.

They open their presents in the morning, as soon as they get up.

On the 6° of January traditionally Magi went to visit little Jesus.This day is called Epiphany.

Befana is an old woman dressed in rags. She is quite ugly, but her heart is full of love for all the children.

In January, during the night between the 5th and the 6th, she goes to every house with a bag full of sweets and little presents, to remind the gifts given bt the three Wise Men to Jesus.

Riding her broom, she flies over the roofs and she goes into the chimneys to fill the stockings that children hang up on the fireplaces.

Some children write a letter to the Befana to ask her some presents. If they are good, they will receive little gifts and candies, otherwise they will only get ashes and coal!