Everything to know about Traditional Italian Christmas

Christmas is very special for many people around the world. But we must say that Italians love Christmas a lot! Each Italian region has its own traditions so the traditions may vary depending on the area you’ll be staying in. Starting from the 8th of December to the 25th of December there are plenty of things and traditions that Italian follow each year. The Italian Christmas atmosphere is something magical to see once in a lifetime. In this article, we will try to explain the traditional Italian Christmas. Let’s see together everything to know about the traditional Italian Christmas.

8th of December 

Nutcracker by Ylanite – Pixabay

Italians feel Christmas since the end of November. You’ll find them strolling around and starting to buy bits and pieces for their Christmas tree. But they also start to anticipate the Christmas gifts, it’s hard work for us! But the magic of Natale starts on the 8th of December, this day is also known as the “Day of the Immaculate Conception“. On this day Italians love to decorate their Christmas tree and their houses with Nativity scenes, which you’ll also find displayed all around the towns and the cities as works of art.

Christmas Markets all over Italy 

Markets by ShenXin – Pixabay

The research of the perfect Christmas gift can be very hard. But Italians aren’t fools, we must say it. During the Christmas holidays, we like to travel along Italy to find Christmas markets. Perfect places to find handmade gifts and handmade and particular traditional food. Among these wonderful Christmas markets, there is a lot of traditional food that people love to buy and serve during their bacchanal with friends and family around the table or during parties.  My favourite Christmas markets are located in Trentino Alto Adige due to the beautiful nature and for the snow. But there is also Cortona, Merano, Arezzo.I suggest visiting these places during Christmas Holiday to taste the beautiful Christmas atmosphere with fancy lights and snow, bagpipers and happy people all around.

Nativity Scenes

Nativity by Geralt-Pixabay

Almost all Italian families love to recreate Nativity scenes all around their house or under their Christmas trees. We can say that it’s a tradition for most families. Some people love to travel from all parts of Italy to visit Naples and buy handmade statues to put them in their “presepi” at home and many families keepsake these wonderful handmade products as treasures.  The Nativity scene represents the birth of Jesus. Some Nativity scenes are very particular and full of tiny details of the barn or cave with a donkey and an ox typically depicted in the Bible.  People love to add many things to the Nativity scene. They even add other characters and objects that may or may not be depicted in the Bible.

Once in Naples, you’ll be able to admire many of the Nativity scenes recreated by artists from all over the world. Among the tiny road called San Gregorio Armeno, you’ll be able to find many different ones located in strategic points but you can admire them even in the Reggia di Caserta. 

24th and 25th of December

Christmas byTerriC- Pixabay

The 24th of December is also called “vigilia di Natale“. On this day many families don’t eat meat due to the catholic tradition. 

On this day some families prefer having a light dinner “to save space” for the big lunch of the day after. But as we said before “different places = different traditions“. 

So in each place, you’ll find different things to eat. For example, in some towns here in the Lazio area they usually eat fried or stewed cod, spaghetti with clams, fried shrimps and battered vegetables.  After dinner usually, all the members of the families like to go to the midnight mass celebration at their local church. This tradition is the same from the north to the south of Italy.

You need to prepare your belly for the battle before coming over! Because the 25th of December is well known for the big “abbuffate“. People sit at their table for lunch and get up in the afternoon without knowing what time it is.

The menù on Christmas day it’s different for every region. Usually, there is a starter full of cured meat, olives, mozzarella, bruschetta with tomatoes and grilled vegetables. For the first course, there are tortellini in broth or lasagna, risotto but it depends on the family traditions. As for the second dish, there is meat/ fish and vegetables, but no one gets there I must admit too much food!.  But you’ll have enough space for the dessert believe me. Pandoro or panettone ar a dilemma for many italians.

Food indecision between Pandoro and Panettone

Panettone by Felipevibber – Pixabay

Italians are always divided in half, I must admit it. Everything that starts with an f is a problem.  Food and football are some of them.

Even during Christmas, they’re able to have a dilemma between pandoro and panettone.

Believe me when I say that it’s true.

Pandoro is a traditional Italian sweet bread, typically prepared in Verona. And it’s pure love for the taste buds, especially if it’s done by hand and not industrially prepared. You buy it and spread vanillin icing on top of it and you’ll eat it in each moment of the day even during breakfast. Some people buy a lot of pandoro and they’ll eat it until it’s humanly possible and maybe until March of the next year.

I suggest trying a piece, and after, you’ll be preparing it at home!

We can say that the panettone is the same thing. But is decorated and fully filled with candied fruit on the inside and covered with almonds on the outside! It’s the favourite of Italian grandparents!