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Loading...6 Holiday Traditions Around the World
- Katie Waldeck
- December 9, 2012
- 4:43 pm
- 96 comments
1. Italy: La Befana
Forget jolly old St. Nick — in Italy, christmas gifts are brought by La Befana, a witch on a broomstick! Italian folklore says that the 3 wise men asked the witch to accompany them to the manger. She declined their offer, as well as a shepherd’s offer. That evening, she saw a bright light in the sky and changed her mind, wanting to bring gifts that had once belonged to her deceased child. She never found the group again. Now, she brings gifts to children every year with the hopes of finding Baby Jesus.
Every year, Italian parents leave out a glass of wine and some food for la befana, and children hang their stockings hoping for gifts.
Also Check Out: 6 Tips for Less Stress & More Joy This Season
Image Credit: Square87 via Wikimedia Commons
Read more: Christmas, Community, Family, Food, Fun, Hanukkah, Holidays, Holidays & Gifts, Life, New Year, Other Holidays, Spirit, india, Israel, italy, Japan, puerto rico, slideshow, sweden
Katie Waldeck
Katie is a freelance writer focused on pets, food and women’s issues. A Chicago native and longtime resident of the Pacific Northwest, Katie now lives in Oakland, California.
Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may
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Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.
people are talking
Noted...
Seen these earlier but still awesome
as someone who has to take a lot of pain meds regularly i have taken note of this article and will t…
thanks for the great ideas :D
Oh yum!
96 comments
+ add your ownThe one I would like to take part is the Diwali, in India. It seems to be amazing!
Thanks very interesting
i've heard of some of these and partook in a few too! i like learning about different cultures and the way they celebrate. we may be miles apart, but still share some ways of celebrating, be it food or drink or fireworks!
I'd love to celebrate Diwali!
Very interesting info, thanks :-)
Merry Christmas Everyone! Thanks.
lovely
It's great to hear of different traditions from other parts of the world. Folklore is so interesting.
thanks for sharing
Thanks!
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