Ciao! I just got back from Piazza Navona Christmas fair. From December 1st to about the first week in January there is little market of assorted goods from candy to ornaments to nativity figures. I was a little disappointed because I was expecting it to contain more unique and hand crafted Christmas goods. Most of the stands offered the same Christmas decorations and food as the stand next to them. At times it reminded me of a state fair in America with the water squirt gun games and ring toss, they even had the large plush stuff animals as prizes!
However I did learn in Italy La Befana is the traditional Christmas character, not Santa Claus. La Befana originates from an Italian folklore and is a witch who visits all the children of Italy on the ever of January 6th. Depending if the child is good or not she fills their stocking with “caramelle” (caramel) or “carbone” (coal.) Families leave “vino” and food for her. According to legend La Befana was asked by the three Magi directions to Christ the child, but she did not know. They invited her to come along with them to find him, but she was too preoccupied with her house chores. Later, La Befana changed her mind and went to go seek the Three Magi, but could not find them. So to this day, La Befana is seen searching for the Christ child and leaves all good children toys because they might be Jesus.
Throughout the fair there are stands that sell wooden dolls of La Befana. She is actually creepy looking and reminds me of a Halloween witch. Some of the stands had animated dolls of her and when you clap they make a witch’s laugh. I was anticipating on finding some ornate holiday gifts at this fair, but was highly disappointed. It is a nice stop in the day, but I wouldn’t plan on make an evening or afternoon out of it.
In other holiday news…a Christmas tree was put up by the Colosseo. The tree is not comparable to the one at Rockefeller Center, but at night it is pretty lit up in front of the Colosseo. I have not seen many residential holiday decorations in the windows like in the homes of America. It is more amongst the stores and in the side streets of Trastevere in which they are hanging from one side of the street to another.
A side note: Where are all the candy canes!?!?! They are impossible to find here! There are more chocolates and cakes in the supermarket for the holidays than I have ever seen in my life, but no candy canes! Literally, there are boxed fruit cakes, Bacio cakes, Limoncello cakes, and an assortment of others that I don’t even know what is inside. I am going to have a holiday party and buy some, I will let you know what I find!
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