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The streets are lit up, the shops are teaming, ‘jingle bells’ is everywhere… we can only conclude that arriva natale (Christmas is coming)!

The Christmas period starts properly with the decoration of the albero di natale (Christmas tree), not forgetting the all important stella (star) or angioletto (little angel) on the top. Under the tree in many houses you will also find a detailed presepe (nativity scene) with figurines of Gesù Bambino and i Re Magi (the wise men).

The first important date is the 24th December, la vigilia (Christmas Eve), when most people gather with their family for a large dinner based around fish or boiled meat dishes, depending on the region. Then comes the wait for babbo natale (Father Christmas) as children sit expectantly in front of the camino (chimney/fire place), listening out for the sound of la slitta (sleigh) and le renne (reindeer). Many children will get a head start on the rest of us, as regali (presents) are often opened at midnight.
Obviously, la vigilia is not complete without a visit to la messa di natale (a christmas church service)

Christmas day is much like the rest of the Christian world - a day of food and family and the traditional game of briscola (a popular card game). At some point the panettone (big bread shaped cake) will be cracked open along with a bottle of spumante. And then to bed to sleep off the excess!

Santo Stefano (26th December) is often spent outdoors, visiting  mercatini di natale (Christmas markets) or generally wandering the town trying to digest the previous days’ food.

Auguri di buon natale!