La Befana, Italy's "Good Witch", Rules Italian Christmas

Santa Claus May Rule the Roost on Chirstmas Eve, but for Many Italian Children, the Real King of the Hill is La Befana

Most of us would like to think that once we put Christmas Day behind us, the whole gift-giving, presents-under-the-tree thing is over, and we can breathe a sigh of relief until next December. Not so in Italy. Christmas may come and go, but when it comes to exchanging presents, the party’s just getting started!

Santa Claus is a mainstay of the Holiday season all over the world, but in Italy, La Befana - Italy’s “good witch” ranks right up there ‘ol Saint Nick.

The arrival of La Befana is on the eve of the Epiphany - January 5th to be exact. Legend has it that if a child was good throughout the year, the good witch will swoop down the chimney and leave a small gift. If the child was a real rascal during the preceding 12 months, the kid got a piece of coal.

In the days between Christmas and the Epiphany, Italian markets put out a wide variety of La Befana dolls. Italy’s witch with a heart of gold pretty much conforms to the image of witches that we all hold so dear: a wrinkly old lady hunched over and wearing a shawl. The broom in her hand her only mode of transportation. La Befana bears a striking resemblance to my mother-in-law. But that’s just a coincidence I’m sure.

These days the cultural impact of La Befana has slowly faded away. And that’s unfortunate. For most families it’s just another reason to get together for a meal. For kids, another opportunity to get a present.

But there was a time - and it wasn’t that long ago - that Italian children really did get all giddy with the thought of this kindly old witch coming into their homes bearing gifts. La Befana was someone who had more in common with Italy’s all-too-common poverty. Especially in the South.