Christmas is a major celebration in Italy that is filled with countless traditions, some of which date all the way back to the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem.

All across the country, Natale is inclined to be a wholesome affair that revolves around spending time with family and friends, eating delicious food, and exchanging gifts. Italian Christmas celebrations are generally a lot less commercialized than those of the USA with children even going so far as to write letters to their parents telling them how much they love them instead of sending gift requests to Santa. There are a number of other incredible traditions as well that makes an Italian Christmas one of the best you will ever experience if you are fortunate enough to be in the country during the very special Festive Season.

A month of festivities

If you are one of those people who adore Christmas so much that you start decorating your house and humming along to Christmas carols in November already, you will feel right at home in Italy where the festivities last an entire month. Italians start getting festive on December 8 already when the Immaculate Conception is celebrated. This is also the day that many Italians start to decorate their homes. The celebrations continue all the way through to January 6 when a special lady delivers gifts to the children.

La Befana delivers gifts to children

While many Italians exchange gifts on Christmas Day, many still believe that Saint Lucia delivers gifts for children on December 13 so they open them early that morning. Many others wait until January 6 when La Befana – a kind old witch – brings toys to the good children of Italy on the Feast of the Epiphany. According to legend, the Three Wise Men briefly stopped at La Befana’s hut on their way to the Bethlehem to ask for direction. After initially rejecting an offer from the men to join them, Le Befana eventually gathered together some toys and went in search of the kings. Unfortunately, she failed to find them or the stable they were headed towards. To this day she continues to search for the baby Jesus in vain, instead leaving gifts for the obedient children and pieces of carbone dolce (rock candy) for the naughty ones.

Nativity scenes are everywhere

Nativity scenes (or presepi as they are known in Italy) are among the most popular Christmas decorations in Italy. Using a crib to convey the story of Christmas dates back to St. Francis of Assisi in 1223 who, during a visit to Bethlehem the previous year, saw the believed birthplace of Jesus. While Naples is considered to be spiritual home of the nativity scene, stable scenes depicting the birth of Jesus can be seen all over Italy in various sizes and forms. Not only are churches and shops adorned with nativity scenes for the entire month of festive celebrations, but many city squares and private homes as well. Although there are a number of supermarkets and online stores that stock nativity scenes, more traditional Italians will much rather decorate with an original, handcrafted work of art.

Bagpipes are not just a Scottish tradition

Although bagpipes are typically associated with Scotland, they also provide the soundtrack to a typical Italian Christmas. In Rome and the areas surrounding the capital city, bagpipers and flute players (known as Zampognari and Pifferai) don their traditional outfits consisting of colourful vests, white stockings, knee-high breeches, and long cloaks to entertain onlookers of all ages with their music. It is believed that the tradition started when shepherds started to play bagpipes and flutes after seeing the baby Jesus in Bethlehem and that it has, since then, been a part of the Italian Christmas tradition.Christmas is a very special time in Italy. With so many amazing traditions it is no wonder that Italians take a full month to celebrate this very heart-warming time of the year.