Growing up in an Italian household, Christmas has always been a big celebration in my home.
In Italy, festive traditions vary from the north to the south. But with my mum, born in Calabria, and my father, growing up in Naples, southern Italian Christmas traditions have been passed down through the ages.
The festive season kicks off on 8th December, with the Feast Day of the Immaculate Conception, and it runs until the 12th Day of Christmas (6th January), which is known as the Epiphany.
The longstanding tradition of Presepe
In our home by 8th December, one of the most beloved Italian traditions—‘il presepio’—which, in English, translates to ‘the nativity scene’, is set up.
The tradition of presepi dates back to 1223 when St. Francis of Assisi created the first nativity scene in the small village of Greccio, as a way to spread the story of Christmas.
Today, these festive scenes are spotted in homes, churches and public squares and typically feature Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus, with other figures, like the wise men and shepherds, too.
Christmas with a British twist
Having been born and brought up in England, my Christmas festivities have a British spin. Every year my daughter and I head into London for an afternoon tea and afterwards, we wander around Oxford Street’s shop windows and lights.
We visit Christmas markets in search of mulled wine and mince pies and have even gone to the annual carol concert at the Royal Albert Hall for a sing-a-long.
England might have given me mince pies, but Italy gave me Panettone. Over the Christmas period you’d never arrive at a friend or family member’s home empty handed. Instead, you’d show up with this sweet Italian fruit bread.
You can make your own version (I’ve left a traditional recipe here), but you could always pick one up from any good deli. Over December I end up with at least 10 because if it’s not me bringing one to a friend, it’s a family member bringing one right back!
Let’s talk about Christmas Eve
In Italy, 24th December is a bigger celebration than Christmas Day. On Christmas Eve we always have a fish feast. This is in honour of ‘La Vigilia di Natale’, in which the fish-based meal is believed to purify your body ahead of the big day.
Typically, we cook spaghetti alle vongole or seafood linguine with some sort of shellfish. We would also have calamari, octopus and baccalà, which is traditional salted cod you have to soak to release the added salt.
This is served with a cold broccoli salad, a cauliflower salad and a green salad. Instead of pudding, we’d have fresh fruit. Like I said, it may be a feast but it’s light, I promise!
The big day
Then comes Christmas Day. In the Scialo home, we’ll start around noon with a pasta al forno (similar to a lasagne) followed by goose and all the English trimmings (I was born here remember!).
We don’t eat it all at once. Our Christmas day is spread out. Once we have enjoyed the starter and the main event, some of us will get the board games out whilst others enjoy a snooze.
Then it's dessert time, which consists of a dessert platter and panettone, plus champagne and a basket of roasted chestnuts would always be on the side. We might finish eating as late as 8pm!
All good things must come to an end. In Italy, the Christmas festivities finish on 6th January when ‘La Befana’, a good witch, delivers sweets to children who have left stockings or shoes outside their bedroom door.
However you are spending Christmas 2024, I really hope it’s a fabulous one surrounded by loved ones, mince pies and, after reading this, a panettone (or two!).
And while I’ve got you, don’t forget about the winter promo I have running until the end of January 2025. This package includes:
3 facials of your choice (booked for Nov, Dec and Jan)
15% off a gift set of your choice
A FREE firming eye cream, (worth £50)
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