This document discusses Christmas traditions in Italy. It explains that the Christmas season in Italy starts earlier on December 8th and runs through Epiphany on January 6th. Two unique traditions are novena, where children dress as shepherds and sing for money and sweets in the nine days before Christmas, and the Feast of Seven Fish on Christmas Eve, where Catholics eat a seafood meal after fasting until evening mass. The legend of La Befana is also described, where she delivers gifts to children on January 5th, continuing her search for the baby Jesus that she had declined to help the Three Wise Men with.

1. CELEBRATING CHRISTMAS
THE ITALIAN WAY
Wei Garafolo

2. CHRISTMAS IN ITALY
If you want to experience a truly magical experiences, try visiting Italy during
the Christmas season. You will find that there are a few unique traditions in
this country that you won’t find anywhere else in the world. If you want to
experience an Italian Christmas, but don’t want to travel abroad, here are a
few traditions you can try out this holiday season.

3. KNOW THE
RIGHT DATES
In the United States, Christmas
celebrations don’t start until towards
the end of the month, the 24th and 25th
of December. The Italian festive season
on the other hand starts on December
8th.
This date marks the celebration of the
Immaculate Conception and
celebrations don’t end until Epiphany on
January 6th, this date marks when the
Three Wise Men arrived in Bethlehem.
Of course the most important date of
the festive season is Christmas Eve.

4. DON’T FORGET
ABOUT
NOVENA!
The nine days leading up to Christmas is
known as Novena. Novena is the time
when we remember the shepherds’
journey to baby Jesus. During this time
children will go from house to house
dressed like shepherds and sing song or
recite poems.
In exchange for their performances
they will receive money or sweets. You
will find that this tradition is found
more frequently in rural areas that
urban areas.

5. THE FEAST OF
SEVEN FISH
Traditionally, Christmas Eve was meant
to be a day of fasting for Catholics. It
isn’t until after evening mass that a
family can break fast and indulge in a
meal.
Abstaining from meat, Catholics opted
for seafood accompanied by pasta. A
few of the fish that are featured in the
meal include, anchovies, lobster,
sardines, eels, squid, shrimp, octopus,
and more!

6. THE LEGEND OF
LA BEFANA
La Befana delivers gifts to children on
Epiphany Eve, January 5th. Legend has it
that La Befana was invited by the Three
Wise Men to join their search for the
Christ child. She declined the invitation
since she was too busy with housework,
but she later changed her mind. Today
she continues her search, leaving
presents for good children and coal or
dark candy if they are bad.
A housekeeper at heart, many say that
La Befana will sweep the floor before
she leaves the house, sweeping the
problems of the year along with her.