Buon Natale (Merry Christmas)

Many Italians living in the United States observe the Catholic religion.They continue to participate in traditions surrounding the Christian holiday of Christmas. These traditions began many generations ago throughout the homeland.There are over 17 million Italian-Americans living in the U.S. The Northeast is home to most Italians in the U.S. In Conn., 18.6 percent of the population are of Italian heritage. Many of these Italians celebrate holiday traditions that have been passed on through the generations.

In the United States the most recognized holiday tradition is the Christmas tree. Throughout the Italian community the symbol of the season is the presepio (the manger). The manger symbolizes the birth of Jesus, and a baby Jesus is placed inside on Christmas morning. Maria Franchi of Orlando Florida has been putting up a presepio since she was young.

“Ever since I was little, I have has a Presepio in my house, said Franchi. It reminds you of that the Christmas season is about celebrating the birth of Jesus.”

A traditional Presepio. Photo from cancanova.com.

Another tradition is to cook and eat seven different types of fish on Christmas Eve. The traditionally prepared fish symbolize the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church. Sebastiano LaRosa of Conn. discusses his Christmas Eve Traditions.

“Every year my family and relatives get together and hold a huge feast on Christmas Eve, which it is usually held at my aunt’s house, said La Rosa. My aunt usually cooks all the fish that we will be eating for that feast. We prepare 7 fish to represent the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church.”

On Christmas Day it is typical to go to mass either at midnight or in the morning. The holiday is celebrated with a large amount of food and the whole family gathers around the table. The day is filled with many different Italian dishes; most meals contain some form of pasta. Around the holidays, many Italian desserts are made. Some of the treats made for the season are struffoli (fried puffs dipped in honey), Pizzelle (thin cookie wafers), and Panettone (a sweet bread) .

Traditional Panettone

After eating, it is typical to play a popular Italian bingo game called tombola or play card games such as briscola and scopa.

Many people know the story of the epiphany and the three kings, but Italians have told an old folk story about la befana for centuries. La befana is an old woman who, as the story goes, was asked to follow the star by the three kings to see the birth of Jesus.  The befana declined the offer and was later asked to follow the star by a shepherd and again declined. Later, the befana decided to follow the star but she never found Jesus. Now, every year after Christmas she goes searching for Jesus and leaves every boy and girl she sees along the way a small toy if they behaved and leaves coal behind for those who misbehaved.

Although Italy is a world away from the United States many Italian Americans participate in traditions from the “old country” over the Christmas holiday season, bridging the gap created by the Atlantic Ocean.

Italian Christmas Traditions
Every culture has traditions surrounding major holidays. There are many Italians outside of Italy, that continue to celebrate traditions that began in the homeland. Each individual who participates and partakes in the Italian Christmas traditions has their own personal story and variations to share.


Saint Lucy
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Santa Lucia

Statue of St. Lucy at Saint Luke Parish in Hartford, Ct

 

Celebrating the Saints

Saints play a large role in Italian culture. They are celebrated on their feast day with a mass and a parade. This celebration of Saints continues today in both Italian and Italian-American culture.

Italian Saints and How they are Celebrated on Dipity.