Christmas in Italy, as in most countries, is a family, friends and food focused celebration. In the UK we’ve got our Christmas crackers, mince pies and carols. 
But what goes on in Italy and how can we get ourselves in the mood for a special Christmas? Read on and find out!

1. VISIT A CHRISTMAS MARKET

In the days and weeks before Christmas you can visit the Christmas markets to start you dreaming of the festive season. 
These market stalls pop up everywhere selling simple gift items like winter hats and gloves; ceramics; decorations and typical food from other regions of Italy like taralli (savoury crunchy biscuits) from Puglia or cheeses from Piemonte. There will be something to warm you up too, like a hot chocolate or roasted chestnuts (caldarroste)

2. GIFT A CHRISTMAS BASKET

A beautiful basket or package of Italian goodies makes a great gift to take to someone’s house if you’re invited to dinner. 

I received one with a bottle of rosé Prosecco, a jar of artichoke pâté and a box of fettuccine pasta. 

The other one is all about nature with creamy-coloured Christmas roses, berries and a baby spruce.

3. GO SKIING 

8 December is the feast day of the Immaculate Conception according to the Catholic calendar and is a holiday in Italy many people don’t work that day and the children will be at home from school.

That date also coincides with the beginning of the skiing season as many of the ski stations open for the winter on 8 December- so it really is a special day! 

4. INDULGE IN SWEET TREATS

The shops fill up with beautifully coloured boxes of big Pandoro and Panettone cakes in December and if you’re like us, once they’re open you end up having them for breakfast too, with a hot coffee, and not just for dessert.

There is an endless debate about which one is best but it all comes down to preferences. In our house we love Pandoro for  it’s soft texture and delicate vanilla taste and aroma.

It usually comes with a small packet of icing sugar which you sprinkle over the cake while its still in its plastic bag, then give it a good shake so that the sugar falls like snow all over and sweetens the cake.

Panettone hasa different texture and contains many pieces of candied peel and sultanas plus a generous top of crunchy icing and nuts.

Serve these with a homemade mulled wine, which is super easy to make and will fill your kitchen with those Christmas aromas we all love. 

Add the following to a small pan: 45g sugar, two star anise, one stick of cinnamon, some lemon and orange peel, 4 cloves and and 500ml of robust red wine. Bring to the boil and simmer for 30’ with the lid on. 

This will make two glasses of mulled wine- one for you and one for your loved one. 

5. BUY A POINSETTIA

This plant is called Stella di Natale ie Christmas Star, which is a much prettier name for this radiant deep scarlet flower that comes in all sizes and is a great décor element for bringing Christmas joy into your home. 

6. LISTEN TO A CHRISTMAS CONCERT

There are often free concerts inside the local churches in Vicenza. Sometimes you’ll see them advertised on a poster outside the church or in a shop window. It’s so atmospheric to listen to a concert in a beautiful church. But don’t forget to wrap up well. It will be cold inside!

7. PREPARE CHRISTMAS EVE (LA VIGILIA) DINNER

According to the Catholic tradition, the dinner of the 24th of December is meat-free and this continues as an option today. Just as well considering the next day there will be plenty of meat on the table!

If you don’t have a wonderfully talented and hard-working Italian grandma to cook for you, not to worry, you can order a set menu from your local gastronomia (a delicatessen that prepares fresh food) or quality supermarket, to heat up at home. 

So all you need to think about is setting the table and creating the mood with lighting, music and decorations.

A set menu might include: seafood salad; baked pasta with crab and radicchio; sea bass fillet and a side of roast potatoes. Wonderful!

8. CHRISTMAS DAY LUNCH 

Ok, yesterday was fish, now it is the turn of a meat-based menu. You might have: insalata  russa (Russian salad-with mayonnaise and chopped vegetbales, a really popular rich and creamy salad; followed by everyone’s favourites either tortellini in brodo or a baked pasta like lasagne; for the main course: a roastofsomething special so that could be guinea fowl, capon or rabbit, for example.

9. NEW YEAR’S EVE (San Silvestro)

It’s the tradition at midnight that you eat cotechino con le lenticchie (pork sausage with lentils) to bring you good luck and prosperity as the lentils resemble lots of little coins.

You should also wear something red to bring you good luck, so anything from lingerie to a manicure should work!

10. CELEBRATE THE NEW YEAR

Toast the newyear with a bottle of good spumante (sparkling wine) and wish everyone around you Buon Anno! (Happy New Year). 

As you hear the fireworks go off in the city and as you look at those around you, you might feel emotional and nostalgic for the year that’s passed but I hope optimistic about the next one, it’s always a new beginning.