La Befana – the Kind Witch of Christmas

If you grew up celebrating Christmas, you probably have fond memories of setting out cookies and milk for Santa on Christmas Eve. You might’ve even supplied some carrots for his reindeer, too. But for children in Italy, another character steals the show as the season’s ultimate gift-giver – and her arrival is anticipated with just as much ritual and tradition as Father Christmas himself.

A bewitched holiday season

La Befana is an old woman, sometimes even depicted as a witch, who brings goodies to the children of Italy on January 5th, Epiphany Eve. While Santa’s preferred mode of transportation is an enchanted sleigh, Befana rides a broomstick. She enters homes through their chimneys, then fills the stockings of well-behaved children with presents and candy. Trouble-making kids, on the other hand, might find a sock filled with coal or a stick.

Befana’s propensity for presents might sound familiar, but her tastes are decidedly different from those of old St. Nick. Instead of biscuits and milk, Befana prefers a glass of wine and a few nibbles of authentic Italian food (we like her style!). Santa Claus sometimes leaves a bit of a crumbly mess from all the cookies he eats, but Befana uses her magic broom to sweep up the family home. Sounds like Kris Kringle needs to take some pointers from Befana!

The origins of La Befana

There are many versions of Befana’s origin story, and they are all tied to the feast of the Epiphany, when the Three Kings visited the baby Jesus. One legend explains that Befana offered the Magi a place to stay for the night as they followed the star. The three wise men were so grateful that they asked Befana to accompany them on the rest of their journey, but she turned them down because she had too much housework to do. After they left she changed her mind and set out to find the baby Jesus, but she wasn’t able to locate the wise men or the baby. She has spent each Epiphany Eve since then searching and giving presents to all the children she encounters.

Another account of Befana’s origin story says that Befana had a much-loved child who passed away. Her sadness turned to delusion, and she thought that Jesus was her son. Befana gave him many gifts, and to thank her, Jesus made her the honorary mother of all Italian children – a role she takes to heart every Epiphany Eve.

Celebrate like La Befana

You might not plan on leaving out wine and nibbles for La Befana this year, but that doesn’t mean you can’t partake of them yourself! Diforti’s Italian deli online has everything you need for authentic Italian holiday celebrations. Stock up on red wine, antipasti and classic festive Christmas desserts like panettone, all without having to brave the cold and pay a visit to an Italian delicatessen in London. You’ve got the wine and snacking down – now if you could only learn to love housework as much as La Befana!

0

Leave a Reply

Basket

Top