In Italy, do they do Christmas presents, or just Epiphany?

Hey, I just read the other day about this thing in Italy, where for Epiphany, there is like this good witch person who flies around and leaves presents for the children. This is I guess the first week of January?



Anyway, it also said that they don't have Santa Claus (which is cool, cuz I don't really care for the Santa thing anyway).



I am just wondering though, if that is kind of like the alternative for Christmas gifts. I realize they probably celebrate Christmas, but is it just a totally religious thing? Do they just do church and stuff on Christmas and then receive gifts on Epiphany?



I am just always trying to learn a little bit more about how things work in other places. I wonder if anyone would be offended if I gave them a Christmas gift?



Looking forward to learning more about it!



Answer on In Italy, do they do Christmas presents, or just Epiphany?



We do both, but on Xmas gifts are given by Christ child or Father Christmas; and somewhere we do Saint Lucy (december 13) or Saint Nicholas (december 6) as well.

Lots of presents!

In my personal experience, Befana (January 6) is only a smallish present; Xmas the big ones, St Lucy in-between; no St. Nicholas. But be warned that could be just the opposite in other areas of Italy.. anyway I don't think anyone could be offended by a Christmas gift.

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