Christmas is the most important time of the year for Italians! Locals begin to decorate as early as mid-November, despite the official ‘start date’ of the holiday season being on December 8th (Immaculate Conception Day).
To help you celebrate Christmas like a local, we’ve created a comprehensive guide to Italian holiday vocabulary! Let’s take a look at some of the most useful words and phrases to use around the holiday season.
- Albero di Natale = Christmas tree
- Angelo = angel
- Calendario dell’Avvento = advent calendar
- Campana = Christmas bell
- Candela = candle
- Camino = chimney
- Canti di Natale = Christmas carols
- Decorazione = decorations
- Renna = reindeer
- Slitta = sleigh
- Vigila di Natale = Christmas Eve
- Vischio = mistletoe
- Pupazzo di neve = snowman
- Ghirlanda di Natale = Christmas garland
- Giocattoli = toys
- Giorno di Natale = Christmas Day
- Lettera a Babbo Natale = Letter to Santa
- Neve = Snow
- Nastro = Ribbon
- Presepe = Nativity scene
- Regalo = Gift / present
- Lista dei desideri = Wish list
As the days go on, homes become filled with lights, decorations, and music. You might also find some typical Christmas treats:
- Castagne = chestnuts
- Caldarroste = roasted chestnuts
- Torrone = nougat
- Pandoro = Traditional Italian sweet bread from Verona
- Panettone = Italian bread made with eggs, candied fruit, and butter
When you’re ready to send holiday wishes to friends and family, you may use:
- Buon Natale! = Merry Christmas!
- Buone Feste! = Happy holidays!
- Auguri! = Best wishes!
Then we approach the new year!
- Giorno di Santo Stefano = Boxing Day
- Ultimo dell’anno = Last day of the year
- Notte di San Silvestro = New Year’s Eve
- Vigilia di Capodanno / Veglione = New Year’s party
Even after the clock strikes midnight, celebrations continue! January 6th marks the Epiphany, when it’s said that “L’epifania tutte le feste si porta via”. Translated as “the Epiphany takes away all holidays”, this is a symbol of one year ending and a fresh start beginning.
- La Befana = Epiphany
- La Calza = Epiphany stocking
- Scopa = Broom
- Carbone = sugar coal
While the end of the holiday season is always a bit sad, it doesn’t last long! You can bet that Italians are already preparing for next year.
