A Christmas in Italy: Love, Tradition, and the Warmth of Family
A Christmas morning in the early 1900s in Cosenza, Italy. Cobblestone streets lined with rustic stone buildings and small market stalls. Townsfolk walk through the streets carrying baskets of bread, oranges, and other goods. The air is filled with the sound of distant church bells. Children gather around a nativity scene near a small church, their laughter and chatter filling the air. The lighting is soft, with overcast skies casting a serene glow.
Christmas in Italy is a magical time of year, steeped in tradition, faith, and family. While every region in the country has its unique ways of celebrating, the traditions of Calabria, in southern Italy, are especially rich and heartfelt. Calabria’s customs during the holiday season are deeply rooted in the region’s history, culture, and love for family, offering a glimpse into a simpler yet profoundly meaningful way of life.
In this post, we’ll explore what makes Christmas in Calabria so special, from its culinary delights to its festive customs, and how these traditions continue to unite families and preserve the essence of Italian heritage.
A Season of Faith and Togetherness
In Calabria, as in much of Italy, Christmas is about more than gifts and decorations. It’s a time to gather with loved ones and honor the spiritual essence of the holiday. The season officially begins on December 8th, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, and continues through Epiphany on January 6th, marking the arrival of the Magi at the nativity.
Faith plays a central role in Calabrian Christmas traditions. Many families set up a Presepe, or nativity scene, in their homes. These intricate displays often include handmade figurines and represent not just the birth of Christ but the community’s connection to its history and beliefs. Interestingly, as opposed to other catholic nations like Spain, the baby Jesus is not displayed in the presepe before 25 December. Local churches and public squares also feature grand nativity scenes, with some towns hosting live reenactments that bring the story of Christmas to life.
The Food: A Feast for the Senses
Calabria is known for its incredible cuisine, and Christmas is the perfect time to experience the region’s culinary heritage. The holiday table is a celebration in itself, laden with dishes that reflect both the bounty of the land and the ingenuity of its people.
La Vigilia di Natale: The Christmas Eve Feast
Christmas Eve is traditionally a day of abstinence from meat, so the evening meal, known as La Vigilia, focuses on seafood and vegetable dishes. Families gather to enjoy dishes like fried eel, baccalà (salt cod), and pasta with anchovies or breadcrumbs, symbolizing the humility of the season.
Christmas Day: A Grand Banquet
On Christmas Day, the fast is broken with a feast that often includes roasted lamb or capretto (young goat), homemade pasta such as lagane e ceci (pasta with chickpeas), and a variety of cured meats and cheeses. Each dish is lovingly prepared, reflecting the care and tradition passed down through generations.
The Sweets of Calabria
pitta ‘mpigliata
Calabria’s desserts are the highlight of the season. Scalille, golden wreath-shaped fritters drizzled with honey, are a staple on Christmas tables. Other treats include pitta ‘mpigliata, a pastry filled with nuts, dried fruit, and spices, and turdilli, small fried cookies coated in honey. These sweets are often made in large batches with the help of the entire family, turning the preparation itself into a cherished holiday ritual.
Christmas in the Community
In Italy, Christmas isn’t confined to the home—it’s a communal celebration. Towns and villages come alive with festive events, from Christmas markets to processions and concerts. The streets are decorated with simple yet charming lights and greenery, and the air is filled with the sound of carolers singing traditional songs.
One of the most beloved traditions is attending midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. Families dress in their finest clothes and walk together to the local church, where they join the community in prayer and celebration. The ringing of church bells and the glow of candles create a serene and joyful atmosphere, marking the arrival of Christmas Day.
Nostalgia and Connection
For those who have roots in Calabria but live far away, Christmas is a time of deep nostalgia. Memories of childhood holidays spent in the region—of helping Nonna make scalille, of walking to church through cobblestone streets, or of playing with cousins by the warmth of the fire—are treasures that keep the spirit of Calabria alive in their hearts.
Even today, many Italian-American and Italian-Canadian families strive to maintain these traditions, bringing a piece of Calabria into their homes no matter where they are in the world. The preparation of traditional dishes, the lighting of candles around a nativity scene, and the sharing of family stories all serve as a bridge between the past and the present.
In Italy, the holiday season is also a time to think of others. Acts of charity, such as donating food or helping neighbors in need, are a natural part of the celebration. This reflects the region’s enduring sense of community and the belief that Christmas is a time to share blessings with those less fortunate.
A House Full of Joy: Hosting Christmas at Home
This year, Christmas feels especially magical because we are hosting my partner’s family from Spain in our home. From the moment they arrived, the house transformed into a lively haven filled with warmth, laughter, and the sounds of love. The echoes of conversations drifting through the rooms, the playful chatter, and the clinking of glasses during toasts have made every moment feel extraordinary.
It’s been an absolute joy to wake up each morning to a bustling kitchen, with everyone pitching in to prepare meals and share stories over coffee. Seeing the dining table overflowing to accommodate everyone reminds me of how fortunate we are to have such a close-knit family to celebrate with. Whether it’s playing games with Isaac, reminiscing about old times, or simply sharing quiet moments of reflection, every interaction feels like a gift.
The house feels alive in a way that words can hardly describe. There’s a certain magic in hearing the murmur of voices mixing with the soft hum of traditional Christmas music playing in the background. Even the little moments, like preparing the dishes together or sharing a glass of vin brulé at the Christmas Market in Piazza Navona, have brought us closer.
I feel so lucky to have this time surrounded by the people we love, all under one roof. Hosting Christmas this year has been a blessing, a chance to give back to those who make life so beautiful. It’s a reminder that the true meaning of Christmas lies not in the decorations or the gifts but in the company of those we hold dear.
As I sit and watch everyone gathered around the table, passing plates of pitta ‘mpigliata and raising their glasses to toast the season, I can’t help but feel overwhelmed with gratitude. This Christmas, I am reminded of how precious these moments are, and how lucky we are to share them with the people who mean the most to us.
Buon Natale!
As we celebrate this season, let us carry forward the love and traditions that make Christmas so special. Whether you’re baking scalille, setting up a nativity scene, or simply sharing a meal with loved ones, you are part of a story that stretches across time and connects us all.
From my family to yours, Buon Natale—and may your holiday season be filled with joy, love, and the enduring spirit of Calabria.