Christmas Traditions

Italy

Buone Feste Natalizie!

The Christmas season in Italy is about 3 weeks long, starting 8 days before Christmas. This is known as the Novena. During this time, children usually go from house to house reciting Christmas poems and singing.

At noon on Christmas Day the Pope gives his blessing to crowds gathered in the huge Vatican square.

In Italy the children wait until Epiphany (January 6th) for their presents. The presents are supposedly delivered by an ugly (but kind) witch called Befana. It is said that on the day of Jesus' birth, she missed the Star, lost her way and has been flying around ever since, leaving presents at every house with children in case he is there.