The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

CHRISTMAS IN ITALY

THIS IS THE WAY MRS. POPP CELEBRATED CHRISTMAS
UNTIL SHE WAS SEVEN YEARS OLD, WHEN SHE AND HER FAMILY
MOVED TO AMERICA, LEAVING THE TRADITIONS IN ITALY.
CHRISTMAS IN ITALY STARTS IN EARLY FALL AND ENDS ON JANUARY 6
WITH THE ARRIVAL OF LA BAFANA, SANTA'S ASSISTANT.
IN THE EARLY FALL THE YOUNG CHILDREN WOULD GO HOUSE TO
HOUSE BEGGING FOR WOOD, PREPARING FOR THE MOST EXCITING
PART OF THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY, THE GIANT BONFIRE. EVERY YEAR
THE BIGGEST THICKEST LOG, CALLED THE YULE LOG WAS SAVED
THROUGHOUT THE YEAR FOR GOOD LUCK. INSTEAD OF A CHRISTMAS
TREE ITALIANS SET UP A PRESEPIO, AN ELABORATE MODEL OF
BETHLEHEM. THE CRADLE WAS LEFT EMPTY UNTIL CHRISTMAS EVE
WHEN A SPECIAL CHILD WAS GIVEN THE HONOR OF PLACING THE
SMALL STATUE IN THE CRADLE. AT THE CENONE (GREAT BIG DINNER)
SEVEN DIFFERENT KINDS OF FISH ARE SERVED. BEFORE THE FAMILY
GOES TO BED THEY LEAVE CAKES AND CANDY ON THE TABLE AS AN OPEN
INVITATION FOR MARY AND HER SMALL CHILD TO SPEND THE NIGHT.
THIS WAS THEIR WAY OF TELLING MARY THAT THEY NEVER WANTED HER
TO LOOK FOR A PLACE TO LAY HER CHILD, SHE WAS ALWAYS WELCOME
IN THEIR HOMES.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 02-00-1984