December is a magical time for us.

We are very busy at school because there is a long list of things to do in time for Christmas

We decorate our classrooms with angels, bells, baubles and paper trees

We write letters to our parents to tell them how much we love them

The letter is normally placed under our father’s plate and read after Christmas dinner is finished. Some children

hang it up on their Christmas tree.

We also write letters to Father Christmas asking for presents

The letter is normally hung up on the Christmas tree on Christmas Eve

Caro Babbo Natale

per Natale

vorrei :

_________________

________________________________

We create Christmas cards for our family and relatives

A lot of traditional songs are sung in churches and schools.

“Bianco Natale” ( White Christmas) , “ Astro del ciel” (Silent night)

are only two of the carols which are sung at Christmas

On 8th December we traditionally decorate a pine tree in our home. Some families buy a real or fake Christmas tree to decorate.

In the past, many families decorated their Christmas tree with chocolates, oranges, sweets and biscuits

Nowadays we also decorate our houses with tinsel, baubles and wreaths. These are usually hung up on the front door of homes.

At school and home we also make il presepio the crib. First we create the landscape using paper, wood and muschio, (moss), which grow under the trees in the woods.

Next we put small statues which feature shepherds, sheep, farmers…Finally we springle some flower on the moss to simulate snow.

In the past people used to go for a walk in the woods and gather moss, but nowadays we have lost this tradition and most people buy it at the supermarket. What a shame!

In some small towns like Loreto, there is the tradition of performing the Nativity scene. People in costume play the part of shepherds, farmers and the three Wise Men. They go around small streets, stables and squares.This performance is also called “the living Crib”

Children believe that Father Christmas brings them presents.

Most parents tell children that he comes on Christmas Eve and that he puts the presents under the Christmas tree.

On Christmas Eve, before going to bed, some children leave biscuits, chocolates and drinks for Father Christmas under the Christmas tree. They know that he loves cakes and sweets!

In our tradition Christmas Eve is a day of abstinence from meat so we eat fish..

“Il capitone” is a well known dish made with fried eels.

After dinner people go to the church for midnight mass

At midnight you here the bells of churches ringing in the distance and you feel your heart fill with happiness and love

This is the day families get together.

Many people attend a church service, open their presents and have Christmas dinner.

A traditional Christmas dinner usually includes classic tortellini in chicken stock, lasagna, roast chicken with roast potatoes, vegetables and salad.

Children drink water whereas adults drink water and white or red wine.

Desserts usually include panettone and pandoro.

Panettone is a cake made with candied fruit and raisins

Pandoro is made with more butter than panettone but without the candied fruit and raisins

As dessert we also have the traditional nougat ( torrone) made with honey, hazelnuts or almonds

We end our Christmas dinner with dried fruit such as dates, hazelnuts, nuts and raisins.

We also eat fresh fruit such as oranges, tangerines and grapes.

We traditionally eat grapes for good luck

La Befana is a kindly old lady who brings children gifts on the feast of the Epiphany on 6th January

Children hang socks on the Christmas tree on January 5th because they believe that during the night la Befana comes and fills their stockings with sweets

in their stockings children usually find sweets or carbone dolce – sweet coal(a rock sweet that looks like coal) for the bad ones.

La Befana has a big nose with a mole on it. She wears an old coat mended with colourful patches

Her shoes are big, old and broken.

She flies around on a broom and carries with her a big black bag full of sweets and coal.

She loves children but she doesn’t want to be seen by them.