Christmas presents a time of gathering, gift giving and celebration. Families, friends, and even acquaintances exchange Christmas presents and share the holiday spirit.
Traditions that Christmas presents in France and Italy…
Christmas in Italy presents rich traditions with both Christian and pagan influence. In ancient Rome, Saturnalia, which falls in the Christmas season, was a huge winter solstice celebration aimed at honoring the sun or sun god. Advent is part of the holiday festivities that Christmas presents as well.
Most folks in Italy do exchange Christmas presents and the children put their shoes out to be filled by La Befana, a female version of Santa.
Christmas presents unique recipes for holiday feasts in Italy. Turkey stuffed with chestnuts is common as is pork sausage; however, most Italian Christmas dinners consist of many fish dishes including the main course of Capitone which is eel that is roasted, fried or baked.
Did you know?Roasted eel basted with olive oil and either lemon juice or red wine vinegar is a delicacy in Italy and is a preferred holiday dish in many areas.
Christmas also presents rich desserts in Italy, most containing nuts. Panettone which is a fruitcake and panforte which is a gingerbread are common Christmas sweets.
Christmas in France presents influences from the middle east along with Roman traditions and Christian practices. Midnight mass, decorating of fir trees and creating manger scenes are among the family traditions that Christmas presents in France.
The children put shoes out to be filled by le pere de Noel, the French version of Santa who brings the children Christmas presents and fills their shoes with goodies.
Puppet shows are also common Christmas traditions in France. Goose or turkey stuffed with chestnuts, buckwheat cakes, oysters and wine are common foods that Christmas presents in France.
