Christmas isn’t just a time for family and friends to get together, but it’s also the time of year when Italians celebrate their heritage. The following are some of the things you can expect to see if you visit Italy during Christmas:
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Visiting the Vatican for Midnight Mass
After dinner, many people visit the Vatican for midnight mass, and the Pope delivers a speech at around 9:30 pm during this event.
If you’re interested in attending, it’s recommended that you bring your passport as it can be helpful to show security staff who may ask for identification upon entry.
The Vatican is a world-renowned tourist destination in Italy; however, if you are traveling alone or with only one other person, feel free to use our guide to visit the Vatican safely on your own.
image: Vatican for Christmas mass / nbcnews.com/news/world/pope-francis-leads-christmas-eve-mass-vatican-n274571
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Snow Skiing
Skiing is a popular winter activity in Italy, and it’s not just for the elite. You can find ski resorts throughout the country, and they provide an excellent opportunity to enjoy nature while staying active and having fun.
The Italian Alps are home to some of the most scenic mountains in Europe, and they offer plenty of opportunities for skiers of all skill levels to wax their boards down black diamond runs or just meander along an easy-to-follow trail with views that would make any snow bunny jealous.
image: The Italian Alps / lux-mag.com/driving-lamborghini-to-the-italian-alps/
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Displaying a Ceppo
The ceppo is a pyramid-shaped wooden frame, usually about two to three feet tall, which can be decorated with fruit and vegetables or other symbols of Christmas.
A star or little doll may be placed at the top, and sometimes candles are attached to the sides. The meaning of this tradition varies from region to region; some say it represents the crib where Jesus was born, while others believe it’s meant to represent an evergreen tree.
The Nativity scenes of Naples, Italy, are well known across the world. These are referred to as “Presepe Napoletano” (Napoleonic Nativity Crib). Naples is said to have had its first Nativity scene as early as 1025.
image: Christmas ceppo Italy / historicipswich.org/2017/12/01/buon-natale/
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Gifts from the Good Witch
On Christmas Eve, Italian children receive gifts from the good witch La Befana. The tradition of La Befana dates back to the 1500s when she was said to be an old woman who left her home and traveled around Italy every year on a broomstick. She would visit all the children in each town and bring them presents.
La Befana is known as “the good witch.” Still, it’s important to note that there are other holiday traditions involving witches in Italy (such as “la strega di mezzanotte,” which translates to mean “midnight witch”).
There are various stories about witches throughout different regions of Italy—and they don’t always have happy endings.
image: La Befana Italy / italiancenter.net/children/festa-della-befana.html
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Bagpipes on the Piazzas
If you’ve ever been to Venice during the winter, you may have heard bagpipes. In the mountains and at Christmas markets across Italy, pipers play the instrument to commemorate their Scottish ancestors, some of whom remain today.
Bagpipes are an all-Italian tradition that dates back centuries, with some towns going so far as to prohibit drumming and other forms of musical instrumentation during this time of year.
image: Italian bagpipes Christmas / wherelemonsblossom.wordpress.com/2016/11/30/made-in-italy-christmas-candles-and-scottish-bagpipes/
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No Meat on Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve is a short day for Catholics, meaning they can’t eat meat. If you’re not Catholic, you can eat as much meat as your heart desires on Christmas Eve, but some people follow the tradition anyway.
For those who abstain from meat on this night, plenty of delicious vegetarian options are available in Italy.
Many families will prepare a special pasta dish on Christmas Eve that’s meant to be eaten with other members of their family. At the same time, they wait for midnight mass to start at church. Fish commonly consumed on Christmas Eve includes baccala (salted cod), calamari, clams, eel, and sardines.
image: traditional Italian Christmas eve dinner / notquitenigella.com/2020/12/26/italian-christmas-food-recipes/
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Extended Celebrations With Family and a Lot of Food
In Italy, Christmas Eve is a big deal. Families get together and have big meals with lots of food, desserts, and drinks. It’s a time to celebrate with family.
On Christmas Day, Italians go to church with their families to attend mass. After the group, they eat lunch together at home or someone else’s house.
In the afternoon or evening, there will be another large meal eaten by many people, including all members of their family who can be there due to work schedules, etc.
image: thelocal.it/20211210/the-food-and-drink-you-need-for-an-italian-christmas-feast/
Conclusion
Although the Christmas tradition is somewhat different for Italians than for people in other countries, there are still many similarities.
What’s essential to remember is that it’s a time for family and spending quality time with those you love.
So whether you celebrate Christmas by having dinner at home with your loved ones or traveling abroad, just make sure you enjoy this holiday season.
“Buon Natale” is the Italian equivalent of “Happy/Merry Christmas.”
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