Babbo Natale, Italy’s version of Santa Claus, is becoming more popular and gift giving on Christmas day is becoming more common. La Befana, the old woman who delivers gifts on Epiphany, January 6 is still the more popular Italian Christmas figure.
What does Italy call their Santa?
St. Nick, Santa Claus, Father Christmas, Kris Kringle, whatever you want to call him, it wouldn’t truly be Christmas without the jolly old benefactor giving out presents to the children around the world! And Babbo Natale – or Daddy Christmas – is Italy’s answer to the man in the red suit.
What does Babbo Natale do?
Nowadays, ‘Babbo Natale’, the Father Christmas, brings presents to children on Christmas eve. But as in true Italian style, gifts are exchanged only on January 6 that is the day of Epiphany. Then ‘la befana’, an old lady, comes in search to the houses for search of the Christ Child.
Who was La Befana?
In Italian folklore, La Befana is a witch who brings good children treats on the morning of the Epiphany, January 6. In Italy, the Epiphany marks the official end of the Christmas season, commemorating the day when the three Wise Men arrived at the manger bearing gifts. …
Does Santa come in Italy?
“But it’s a big tradition in Italy — much bigger than Babbo Natale.” Another blow to Babbo Natale — the closest thing Italy has to Santa Claus. This is remarkable when you consider that the man who inspired Santa Claus is actually buried in Italy.
Where do they say Dun Che Lao Ren?
In China, Santa is called Dun Che Lao Ren, which means “Christmas old man.” Not everyone in the country celebrates Christmas, or Sheng Dan Jieh.
What are common traditions in Italy?
Here are eight for your list:
- Epiphany and La Befana. Throughout Florence, it is tradition for an old woman to deliver gifts to children on Epiphany Eve. …
- Carnevale. …
- Florentine New Year. …
- Scoppio del Carro. …
- Patron Saint Feast Day. …
- Notte Bianca. …
- Festa della Rificolana. …
- Republic Day.
21.02.2017
How does Italy say Merry Christmas?
“Merry Christmas” in Italian is Buon Natale. Buone feste e tanti auguri means Happy Holidays and best wishes!
Is Babbo Natale a girl or boy?
Babbo Natale – Italy’s Christmas Santa Claus Tradition
La Befana, the old woman who delivers gifts on Epiphany, January 6 is still the more popular Italian Christmas figure. Babbo Natale, or Father Christmas is gaining popularity in Italy.
Is Kris Kringle Santa Claus?
Santa Claus—otherwise known as Saint Nicholas or Kris Kringle—has a long history steeped in Christmas traditions.
Why do they burn La Befana?
The feast of this fairy-tale old lady, so much beloved and feared by Italian children, takes origin from the “old lady” which was burned in the squares to celebrate the end of the year, a symbol of time cycles always ending and beginning again.
Which country has the Christmas Witch?
Only in Italy do the witches bring gifts to children. That’s La Befana, a broom-flying, kindly witch who effectively takes over from Santa–in Italy, “Babbo Natale”—about two weeks after Christmas on Epiphany to deliver gifts to the good, and ash to the bad.
How did La Befana originate?
La Befana originates from a fairytale about a woman who flies on a broomstick bringing presents to children in Italy. La Befana is believed to be searching for baby Jesus, hence why she bears gifts for children. Many cities and towns in Italy organize festivities and parades to celebrate Epiphany on January 6.
Do Italian kids believe in Santa?
In the Western world we have Santa Claus and Italians also believe in Old Saint Nick during Christmas. … However, there’s another holiday they celebrate that has a similar concept of Santa with some similarities to Krampus from other European countries.
Who is the gift giver in Italy?
La Befana. Although by now Santa Claus, called Babbo Natale in Italian, has made his way into the hearts of Italian children, the traditional gift giver is La Befana, a Christmas witch.
What do Italian children leave for Santa?
They also leave mince pies, similar to their neighbors in the U.K. While an increasing number of Italian kids leave a slice of the Panettone Christmas cake for Babbo Natale, which is how they refer to Santa, the more traditional Italian gift-giver is La Befana.