| Christmas Traditions in Italy |
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| Christmas traditions in Italy is believed to be the traditions of Christianity along with the pagan traditions. The ushering in of the coming festivities by the "Piferari" or fifers is a Christmas tradition in Italy. An ox and an ass are believed to be nearby as they warmed Jesus when He was born with their breadth on Christmas. Beautiful cribs are set up in churches and contests are held in different regions for the best crib. People in Italy go to view the cribs and compare them with that of the other churches on Christmas. | |
The burning of the Yule log, which should stay lit till the new years day is considered as a Christmas tradition in Italy.
Christmas Eve is the perfect time one gets to view Italy’s artistic and elaborate cribs. Apart from the religious observance of Christmas and merrymaking candles are lighted on Christmas. Christmas tapers are long slender candles that are found lit in every home and in churches on Christmas.
The Christmas dinner consists of fish that is largely enjoyed by the Italian’s. The Christmas sweets are the most famous in Italy. The panettones are cake and candy filled sweets that are relished by the people on Christmas. It is a rule for all Christmas sweets to contain nuts and almonds.
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Christmas Eve is a time when children wait expectantly to receive Christmas gifts of all kinds like toys, candy and fruits from Santa Claus.
Christmas in Italy is celebrated for 3 weeks. Children during the 3-week period on Christmas Eve go from house to house reciting and Christmas rhymes and Christmas poems.
As tradition has it in a kind ugly witch called the Befana delivers Italy Christmas gifts on a broomstick. In Italy December 25 is regarded as one of the special day to celebrate the birth of Christ. |
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