Christmas in Italy

[vittoria]

I'd like to correct your otherwise very interesting article on Christmas around Europe. In Italy, the Befana - not Strega Buffana - flies around and delivers presents on 6 January rather than 26 December. Children leave a stocking out on the evening of 5 January. Good children receive sweetmeats and a present, bad children get ash and coal (you can buy fake coal made of sugar and leave a piece out to signify they have been good, but not without a few tantrums). Presents on Christmas Day and the Christmas tree came to Italy after the Second World War. Before that, there was no tree or decorations - only the crib and a present on 6 January - nothing on Christmas day. My generation was luckier, however: we got both the crib and the tree, and presents both on Christmas day and on 6 Jan!

[mellyJ]

thanks for your comments on Christmas in Italy - do you still get presents twice on 25 december and 6 january?

[vittoria]

My sister and I (born 1963 and 1965) always did, and as far as I know children still do (though not adults) and I intend to give my daughter (b. 1998) double celebrations although we live in London, UK!