Just found this feature about Italian Xmas traditions which may be of interest to Italy-lovers out there

http://tinyurl.com/c4ll25f

Buon divertimento

Steve

Thanks!

Bookmarking to read later - thanks Steve !

thanks, Steve,

i couldn't open some of the links, but I did get to see the Christmas log.

One of my fellow students at the italian conversation class I attend is spending 3 weeks in Italy at Christmas, [lucky girl, I'm so jealous] so that should give us plenty of opportunity to ask her about the traditions in the region her partner comes from, which is in the north near Turin, I think.

if christmas traditions are anything like food in Italy, they will be very regional. But one that is nationwide is the tradition of decorated cribs or nativity scenes - presepe - which you can see all year round in many churches, just waiting to be specially decorated for christmas.

A nice read, thanks for alerting us to this Steve - I have now subscribed.

I hope you enjoy getting it as I do, Caroline. There are often interesting articles in the mag. written from an Italian perpective.

Hope the links eventually worked for you, Ann.

Steve

Steve_James, thanks so much for the link. Very interesting reading. My roots in Boston are Irish/Catholic, and while Christmas Eve was very special, our “big event” was always on Christmas Day.
Centered around a fabulous roast beef, with presents galore, and good cheer.


Fortunately, my daughter had the good sense to marry an Italian. Together they orchestrate a beautiful Christmas Eve – the table, the décor, the hospitality, and sense of family is extraordinary.

Granted, the younger generation no longer have the traditional Italian seven (or was it more?) fishes, but everything is perfect.
If I am lucky enough to return to Italy, I want to visit the shops featuring Nativity crèches in Naples.

Grazie tanto for getting us in the spirit….

Steve_James, can you recommend a good hotel in Vicenza? I'm looking for something tasteful and stylish, not big. My budget is under €75.

By the way, lovely link to Italian Xmas, I'm from Boston and my heart yearns for those big Christmas celebrations.

Maria T.x