Italian Christmas Traditions

Italian Christmas traditions are a festive blend of Christian influences and pagan celebrations. Whether your family is Italian or you just want to explore global holiday traditions, you can incorporate some old-world charm into your holiday.

The Christmas Visitor
With origins in Italian pagan folklore, La Befana is a grouchy old woman riding on a broom who visits children during Epiphany (January 6) and leaves them toys and candy. Tradition holds that she is a pilgrim searching for the Christ child, because she was too busy to seek him out when he was first born. Pre-Christian Italian lore mentions a traveling old woman who represents the outgoing year and encourages exchanging gifts to celebrate the New Year.

Christmas Crib
The Italian crib is similar to the French crèche, a detailed nativity scene. Some cribs are small and meant to sit in a window, while others are large and delight observers from a church or city property. The crib always contains the figures of Mary, Joseph and the Christ child, as well as a donkey and an ox. Other figures, such as angels, may be included, but not always. Generally, crib figures are made of wood, clay or plaster.

Ceppo
A decorating staple in Italian homes, the ceppo is a pyramid-shaped structure designed to hold shelves full of different Christmas items. The ceppo may hold gifts on one shelf and candies on another. A small nativity set, candles or pictures may also be placed on a ceppo. At the top of the ceppo, a star is placed, and ribbons, colored streamers and sparkly ornaments are hung around the frame.

Holiday Food
A fine meal is an important part of an Italian Christmas tradition. In Italy, many people fast for 24 hours just before Christmas Day. The fast is then broken by a Christmas feast. Others may not fast, but it's common to skip eating meat on Christmas Eve, so fish is popular. The main course for a Christmas feast is usually lamb, turkey and eel or fish (in some areas). Accompanying the main course is usually antipasto, cheese and crackers, pasta with various sauces, shellfish, sausage, vegetables and potatoes. Desserts consist of pandoro (a sweet yeast bread), candied fruit, gingerbread, panforte (similar to fruitcake) and candied nuts.