Traditional Christmas Celebrations in Italy

Another in our series of Christmas traditions from around the world.

Italy, a country renowned for its rich cultural heritage and vibrant traditions, truly comes alive during the Christmas season. 

From north to south, the festive period is marked by a blend of religious devotion, culinary delights, and community gatherings that make an Italian Christmas a unique and heartwarming experience.

The Advent Period

The Christmas season in Italy begins with the Advent period, which is marked by various traditions such as lighting Advent candles and attending special church services. In many towns and villages, elaborate Nativity scenes, or "presepi," are set up, often featuring intricate details and local landmarks. 

Naples, in particular, is famous for its handcrafted Nativity figures, with artisans in the San Gregorio Armeno district creating miniature masterpieces.

The Feast of the Immaculate Conception

On December 8th, Italians celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, a public holiday that officially kicks off the festive season. This day is often marked by religious processions and the lighting of Christmas trees in town squares. Families begin decorating their homes with lights, garlands, and presepi, which remain the focal point of Christmas decorations.

La Vigilia (Christmas Eve)

Christmas Eve, known as "La Vigilia," is a time for family gatherings and a traditional feast. Italians observe the "Feast of the Seven Fishes," a meal that typically includes a variety of seafood dishes such as baccalà (salted cod), calamari, and clams. The meal is followed by midnight Mass, a deeply significant event for many families. St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City hosts one of the most famous midnight Masses, attracting visitors from around the world.

Natale (Christmas Day)

Christmas Day, or "Natale," is a time for joy and togetherness. Families come together to enjoy a lavish meal, often featuring traditional dishes like tortellini in brodo (pasta in broth), roasted meats, and panettone or pandoro for dessert. Gifts are exchanged, and children eagerly await the arrival of "Babbo Natale" (Father Christmas).

Santo Stefano (Boxing Day)

The celebrations continue on December 26th with Santo Stefano, a public holiday dedicated to St. Stephen. It’s a day for visiting relatives, enjoying leftovers, and taking part in community events.

Epiphany and La Befana

The Christmas season in Italy extends until January 6th, the Feast of the Epiphany. This day commemorates the visit of the Magi to the baby Jesus and is celebrated with processions and the blessing of homes. 

According to Italian folklore, La Befana, a kindly old witch, delivers gifts to children on the eve of Epiphany. While she rewards well-behaved children with sweets, those who have been naughty receive lumps of coal (often made of sugar).

Unique Regional Traditions

Italy’s regional diversity is reflected in its Christmas celebrations:

In Trentino-Alto Adige, Christmas markets fill the streets with handmade crafts, mulled wine, and festive treats.

In Sicily, the "Novena" involves nine days of prayers and carol singing leading up to Christmas.

In Puglia, towns like Alberobello light up their famous trulli houses with dazzling displays.

Christmas in Italy is a magical time steeped in tradition, faith, and family. Whether it’s marvelling at a Nativity scene, indulging in a festive feast, or partaking in local customs, the season offers a glimpse into the heart of Italian culture. 

For those fortunate enough to experience it, an Italian Christmas is a celebration to be cherished and remembered.

DeliVita, the posh pizza oven brand, ideal for Christmas gifting and cooking

DeliVita, the posh pizza oven brand, has a range of accessories that would delight anyone this festive season as well as a new gas-fired pizza oven priced at £349 which would be a real treat. 

Its gorgeous and functional Pizza Cutter in particular is popular for gifting. It's handmade in Yorkshire from stainless steel, features olive wood handles and effortlessly cuts pizzas and flatbreads perfectly. 

Also, they have a Pizza Pack that will make eight of the finest, most delicious Italian inspired pizzas that come with authentic Italian tomatoes, mozzarella and a selection of meats. If budgets stretch a little further there's also the gorgeous DeliVita Leather apron that is handmade using Italian buffalo leather.

DeliVita Pizza Cutter £49.50

The dream Christmas gift for every pizza lover, the DeliVita pizza cutter is handmade in Yorkshire using Stainless Steel and Olive Wood and is the absolutely perfect tool for effortlessly and quickly cutting your cooked pizzas and flatbreads into the perfect slices.

DeliVita Pizza Pack £49.95 

DeliVita’s pizza spinning experts have carefully chosen the best of British artisan ingredients, with a little help from Italy, to ensure authentic Italian pizzas are created using the finest ingredients, sourced from small and ethical producers, using traditional, time honoured methods.

The pack includes eight vegan pizza dough balls, Moons Green Pepperoni, Moons Green Pizza Nuggets, Moons Green NDuja, Mutti Aromatica Pizza Sauce, Tiino Fior Di Latte Mozzarella,  

DeliVita Leather Apron £139.50

Made by hand and using carefully selected sturdy Italian buffalo leather, the luxury DeliVita leather apron is extremely light, flexible and comfortable to wear. It is fitted with high quality naturally tanned belts and straps, an easy adjustable buckle clasp and even a hand tea towel loop.

I also wanted to let you know that DeliVita has recently expanded its range to include gas-fired ovens for the very first time. In particular it has a entry level pizza oven called The DiaVolo that retails at £349 and comes with all accessories such as a pizza peel, temperature gun, carry case, cover and regulator if people wanted to splash out a little more on a present that will be enjoyed by all the family this Christmas. 

https://delivita.com

Carluccio’s Festa Di Natale ~ The Christmas Party ~

Carluccio’s has been working all year round to bring you ~ Festa di Natale (The Christmas Party).

Carluccio’s team have travelled across Italy, meeting their favourite artisan producers and friends all of whom are dedicated to offering the highest quality products, to bring together the finest Italian food, drink and gifts for the festive season.

Oozing elegance, this year’s range of gifts is packaged in gorgeous gold, red and orange wrapping, finished with beautiful illustrations of the gifts within.

CARLUCCIO’S CHRISTMAS ~ TRADITIONAL ITALIAN TREATS

Iconic Italian Christmas cake panettone is a classic gift to give to friends and perfect to enjoy with the family over the festive period. Carluccio’s panettone is made with the finest quality ingredients and each one takes 24 hours to create.

Choose from Panettone Tradizionale (1Kg, £16.95), made with dried fruit, candied peel and topped with hazelnut icing or Panettone al Cioccolato (1Kg, £16.95), filled with pieces of milk and dark chocolate and also topped with hazelnut icing. If your tastes are molto piccolo, both the chocolate and traditional panettone are available in a mini version (60g, £3.95).

Buttery sponge cake Pandoro (1Kg, £16.95) is another classic Italian cake, meaning “golden bread”. Wrapped in beautiful orange paper, the kids will enjoy preparing this cake for the table as it comes with a pouch of icing sugar, which is poured over the cake and shaken while still in the bag. The end result is reminiscent of a snow-capped mountain.

Carluccio’s Tortionata (500g, £9.95) almond shortcake is handmade in Lombardia on the outskirts of Milan. The recipe dates back to the 1800s and is made from a mix of flour, Sicilian almonds, freshly-churned butter and a touch of lemon peel. This glorious cake is the perfect Christmas treat accompanied with a glass of Vin Santo or afternoon espresso.

Tuscan cake Panforte Bianco (300g, £9.95) is made by a family producer to a recipe that dates back to the Middle Ages – candied fruit, toasted almonds, honey, cinnamon and nutmeg are mixed together and the cake is dusted in sugar and hand wrapped to finish.

New to the range this year is Varchiglia alla Monacale from Calabria (300g, £9.95), a marzipan tart covered in a rich dark chocolate.

CARLUCCIO’S CHRISTMAS ~ FESTIVE TABLE

Carluccio’s delis will all be filled with the finest Parma hams, truffle oils, pastas, risottos, Prosecco and fine Italian wines to help you create the perfect festive banquet.

Get the party started with Carluccio’s Table Torpedo (£24.95), an exploding indoor centerpiece filled with colourful streamers, sweets and party accessories. Carluccio’s brightly coloured Mini Christmas crackers (6 x 30g, £12.95) contain a party hat, individually wrapped chocolates and Italian trivia to test your knowledge.

Be sure to have a jar or two of Carluccio’s Baci di Dama (‘ladies kisses’, 875g, £15.95) on hand near the dinner table – the tasty hazelnut biscuits with a chocolate filling are perfect to share with guests at the end of the meal. Or, why not top your table with Carluccio’s Grissini al Cioccolato (350g, £10.95), these sleek chocolate-coated breadsticks are a favourite of Antonio Carluccio!

CARLUCCIO’S CHRISTMAS ~ SWEETS & STOCKING FILLERS

The Festa di Natale chocolates and sweets this year are a celebration of Italian specialities. Clemente in Camicia (300g, £16.95) dark chocolate covered clementines come from Calabria; Grappini (85g, £7.95) chocolates filled with grappa liqueur from Perugia; and hazelnut Torrone (1Kg, £24.95) is made in Asti to a traditional recipe. Fill stockings with Carluccio’s Soldini net of coins (140g, £2.50); chocolate cigars (100g, £4.95); and Pupazzetti chocolate Santas (180g, £5.95).

Or, for a more grown up gift, Fichi Ricoperti (180g, £9.95) Calabrian figs are baked and then stuffed with walnut and citrus peel and covered in a thick dark chocolate.

CARLUCCIO’S CHRISTMAS ~ CARLUCCIO’S GIFT SETS

Carluccio’s range of Christmas gift boxes and hampers offer something for everyone this year. Choose from the classic Lui e Lei (‘his and hers’ £22.95) containing matching bottles of Emilia Romagna extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Foodies will love the Piatto di Risotto box (£29.95) filled with everything you need to make and enjoy a classic risotto at home – risotto rice, fonduta cheese & truffle sauce, olive oil, a bottle of

Rosso del Veneto wine and a risotto spoon.

Perfect for those with a sweet tooth the Celebrazione gift set (£35) includes a bottle of prosecco, hazelnut truffles and slices of nutty torrone arranged in a beautiful red box; and, if you really want to impress, choose La Festa (offered in two sizes £95/£60), packed with a wide range of Carluccio’s classics foodie favourites.

CARLUCCIO’S CHRISTMAS ~ SHOPPING EVENINGS

On Thursday 1st and Thursday 8th December, from 6pm, Carluccio’s caffès across the UK will be a hub

of festive cheer as shoppers enjoy a 10% discount on the entire Christmas range. Browse and select your favourite gifts whilst enjoying a complimentary winter-warming glass of vino cotto (traditional mulled wine) and piccoli assaggi (festive canapés).

CARLUCCIO’S CHRISTMAS ~ ENTERTAINING

Whether you’re planning a large office do or small gathering, Carluccio’s can cater for your Christmas event. Pop into your local foodshop where knowledgeable and helpful staff can help you select the best wines and plan your bespoke party menu.

Choose from fabulous Italian antipasti platters (from £30), whole Parma hams (4.5Kg £120), and individual stuzzichini (canapés, from £1.60 each) including moreish arancini con mozzarella (mini risotto rice balls with mozzarella) and gambero alla pancetta (large prawns wrapped in Parma ham).

Buon Natale from Carluccio’s!

www.carluccios.com
 
twitter: @carluccioscaffe