Christmas Time

12/23/10

Ah yes, Christmas time again. Here Christmas is celebrated from Christmas eve to Epiphany. (December 24- January 6.) We kick the season off with a winter solstice festival called Saturnalia. My dad's American friends are here to celebrate an Italian Christmas. I was talking to there 8 year old daughter and she told me that on the 25th of December they get there present from Santa. I was surprised about that because we don't get present until Epiphany (the 12th day of Christmas). That's when the wise men gave the gifts to Jesus and that's when Babbo Natale (Father Christmas, or Santa) comes and stuff the stockings. Traditions are different everywhere, I guess. In my family we don't put our Christmas tree up until the 8th of December. Although, here in Florence there is a "Christmas Market" where kids come and visit Babbo Natale.This is called Florence Noel. There are lots of lights and it is beautiful. Me and my brothers usually take my cousins to this, but this year we are going to take Julia and my cousins, Anna and Gabriela. We are going tonight so for now, Ciao

--Amore,

Isabella