{"id":3511,"date":"2020-12-01T02:23:10","date_gmt":"2020-12-01T07:23:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.effettoitaly.com\/en\/?p=3511"},"modified":"2020-12-03T02:23:27","modified_gmt":"2020-12-03T07:23:27","slug":"deck-the-halls","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.effettoitaly.com\/en\/blog\/deck-the-halls\/","title":{"rendered":"Deck the Halls"},"content":{"rendered":"A magical time to be in Italy
\r\n\r\nThe holiday season is a magical time to be in Italy. The celebrations, the decorations, the food and most of all, the traditions\u2026 Christmas time doesn\u2019t get more festive than this. \r\n
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\r\nIt\u2019s not one day, nor twelve \u2013 but an entire month<\/b>
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\r\nIn Italy, the holiday kicks off on December 8th, with the celebration of the Immaculate Conception. Decorations go up in both homes and in the streets and many of the Christmas markets begin. The festivities don\u2019t end until the Epiphany on January 6th.
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\r\nChristmas markets galore<\/b>
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\r\nItaly hosts some truly wonderful Christmas markets \u2013 each reflecting the regions own local traditions and artisans. Some of the most famous are the Christkindlmarkt<\/em> in Bolzano, the Weihnachtsmarkt<\/em> German Market in Florence (right in Santa Croce), the medieval candle market in Candelara in Le Marche, Piazza Navona in Rome, Campo San Polo in Venice and the Christmas market in Torino. Grab some lulled wine and a bag of roasted chestnuts and enjoy the atmosphere!
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\r\nOh Presepio<\/b>
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\r\nNativity scenes (presepi<\/em>) are a more common display in Italy than the traditional Christmas tree. These ornate and elaborate scenes are an artisan tradition throughout. Naples, in particular, is world-famous for its handmade creations. And these scenes often go beyond the usual baby Jesus with the 3 wise men, usually including entire villages, towns, mountains and beyond.
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\r\nBagpipes abound<\/b>
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\r\nAbout 8 days prior to Christmas (also known as the Novena), you may catch a glimpse of the traveling zampognari<\/em> (bagpipe players). These performers would traditionally travel to the towns and villages in southern Italy and Sicily from the mountains, playing holiday carols. Now they are local musicians dressed in sheepskin vests and a peaked cap, and representing the shepherds who visited the Virgin Mary in Bethlehem.
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\r\nHoliday feasting<\/b>
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\r\nOf course, it would not be the holidays without delicious food. On Christmas Eve La Vigilia di Natale<\/em>, Italians tend to eat a lighter, meatless meal, depending upon the region. Christmas day can be more lavish celebration with a heavy meat and cheese antipasti, followed by a tortellini in brodo<\/u><\/em> and perhaps a roast of lamb or guinea fowl. Two of the most common desserts are pandoro and panettone (read our blog on these two cakes here<\/a>).
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\r\nLa Befana arrives<\/b>
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\r\nMove over, Santa. The true Christmas figure is Le Befana, a \u201cgood witch\u201d believed to have followed the wise men in search of the baby Jesus, and dropping off gifts at children\u2019s doors. Now she is said to drop off presents for all the good children on January 5th<\/sup>, the Epiphany Eve. Throughout Italy, and particularly in Rome and Bologna, main piazzas host fun activities for kids on this day.
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\r\nLooking to plan an event during the holiday season \u2013 let us know how we can help.
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\r\nBuon Natale from all of us at Effetto and have a safe and happy New Year.\r\n
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\r\nCiao for now,
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\r\nThe Effetto Italy Team\r\n\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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