Christmas is just a few days away. I thought I would take a few minutes and tell you about what happens before Christmas in southern Italy. I will post again after the holiday season, which ends here on January 6th - the Epiphany.
I quickly realized that Christmas in Italy (or the time before Christmas I should say) is not in your face - so to speak and definitely not like the U.S. (in my opinion) I noticed after Thanksgiving that stores were decorated but as each day passed I noticed a marked difference than in the states. I didn't see villages decorating their streets early in December and I didn't hear conversations about "oh my I have so much shopping to do". I did run into 3 musical Santa's in the village one day. Check out the video. They were so fun and came from Salerno to play - just because!!!! I asked them if I could video them for my friends in the U.S. So this is just for YOU!
https://youtu.be/llLh7GYKhYw
I do know holiday baking is done and here in the south there are two main pastries that are made for Christmas and one very special pastry only made in Acquavella. Pastucelle and Struffoli are very southern. I must admit I am not a fan of Struffoli. The pastry of Acquavella is "Pasta di Mandorle con glassa". These are yummy and just the right size - one bite size!!
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| Pasta di mandorle con glassa |
This year our Village will not host any major event. In the past we have had a Live Nativity (Precepe) as well as Santa's House (Babbo Natale). These events typically bring people from far and wide. But this year it will be quieter. So the decorations in the village are much smaller but still beautiful......well all but the tree near the church. I just may have to offer my help next year. This is pretty sad. Interesting fact the Christmas lights were just put up 2 days ago. Yes, one week before Christmas. I assume they will remain up until January 6th.
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| Via Napoli, the Main Street in Acquavella, decorated for Christmas |
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| I'm sorry but this is just so wrong. My new mission for next year is to make this tree shine!! |
I will say that the Italians are all about food for the holidays - no surprise there. When you grocery shop the stores are filled with different types of food for Christmas. These past few days as I shopped, the amount of fish that was displayed was intense - for Christmas Eve dinners. In addition there are mountains of the boxed cakes - panettone, pandoro and sparkling wine. I am amazed at how they fly out of the door. People have grocery carts filled with them. Everyone gives them as gifts.
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| Stacks of different type of chocolate candies and sweets |
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| Mountains of Panettone and other Christmas breads |
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| ..... and don't forget the bubbly!! |
My personal preparation consisted of decorating the inside and outside of my house. I bought battery operated lights for the outside. And my tree is LIVE - meaning I can plant it outside after the holidays. I did not see one place where you could buy a fresh cut Christmas tree. I don't think they exist here in the south. If people have a tree it usually is artificial. The precepe (nativity) is much more important. So I of course put out my nativity from my childhood. My sisters will remember it well. And believe it or not it was made in Italy. And then of course Oscar has his nativity as well. So we are ready.
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| Oscar's dog nativity |
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| ....the stockings were hung by the chimney with care....... |
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| The front of the house and you can see the lights from the Main Street in the village |
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| I also decorated the fence around the house All the lights are battery operated |
Small Christmas markets have popped up in some of the villages the past few days. Angela and I attended one in Velina last night. Very small but little houses of food, beverages and of course hand made crafts. Marina di Casal Velino will have one after Christmas. So I see a theme that the weeks before Christmas are not frantic but very calm and no one wishes you Merry Christmas, etc. until a few days before the holiday. They don't rush things here.
Christmas Eve there will be a midnight mass, of course, in the little church here in Acquavella. I may attend - OK, yes I know I am not catholic but I don't think God minds. I remember going with my girlfriend Susanne and her family on Christmas Eve to their catholic church service. It will be standing room only for this service. Earlier in the evening Santa will arrive in the village square to greet all the children. There will be music, games and food of course.
I will celebrate Christmas Day with Angela, Luigi and Stefano. The girls will not make it home for Christmas but will most likely come in January for a visit. After Christmas I will travel to Salerno for the "Salerno Luci d'artists". This is an amazing display of "artistic" Christmas lights. Every year they are different displays by artists and each street will have a theme. The display starts in November and runs into late January to accommodate all the tourists that want to see it. In addition I will go to a Live Precepe in a small village up in the mountains, Monteforte Cilento. I have been there one time before (in pouring down rain) so hoping for clear skies so I can get some great pictures to share and maybe a video or two. These Live Precepes are amazing. And they never start till after Christmas - How can you have a nativity before Christ was born? They do it right here.
So with that I will close. Many blessings to you all this Christmas. I look forward to giving you a great update after the New Year!
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