Some Italian traditions, customs connected to Christmas holidays.

In Italy, it’s common to wish someone buone feste (happy holidays) rather than simply Buon Natale (Merry Christmas) because Christmas isn’t the only holiday. The festive season in Italy starts December 8th for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception and runs through 6 January (The Epiphany). Christmas is the main event, but the holiday spirit really doesn’t wind down until the 7th of January.

In many towns, you will find towering Christmas trees taking over the main square and smaller trees decorate Italian homes. However, the true Christmas scene-stealer is the presepe (or presepio). Presepi are nativity scenes that depict the manger scene, with Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus. In addition to the central figures, presepe can grow into huge, elaborate displays with handpainted figures and motorized moving parts. You will find them in homes, as well as in almost every church and in many other central locations around towns and villages.

Babbo Natale (Santa Claus/Father Christmas) is very popular in Italy, but the true Christmas figure is La Befana. La Befana is usually depicted as a witch, and legend has it that this kind old woman was out sweeping when the Three Wise Men invited her to join them as they set out to visit the newborn King. Befana had too much to do, so she declined the offer to join the Magi on their journey. Once she realized Jesus was the Son of God, she regretted her choice, and now travels around the world leaving gifts for all the good children on January 6th.

Please enjoy the works that students have prepared to describe some of our traditions and the most popular dishes in Naples.