Living in Boyle Street and McCauley we have the advantage of so many cultures and it is interesting to see how each culture celebrates their traditional Christmas or other winter holiday. We have so many diverse cultures in our neighbourhood, with Chinese and Italian two of the most prominent ones.

The Christian children of China decorate trees with colorful ornaments. These ornaments are made from paper in the shapes of flowers, chains, and lanterns. They also hang muslin stockings, hoping that the “Christmas Old Man” (Santa Claus, known also as Dun Che Lao Ren) will fill them with gifts and treats. The Chinese Christmas trees are called Trees of Light.

The non-Christian Chinese people call this season the Spring Festival and celebrate with many festivities that includes delicious meals and paying respect to their ancestors. The children are the main focus of these celebrations. They receive new clothes and toys, eat delectable food and watch firecracker displays.

The Christmas season in Italy goes for three weeks! It starts eight days before Christmas, known as the Novena. During this period, children go from house to house reciting Christmas poems and singing. In some areas, shepherds bring musical instruments into the villages, and play and sing Christmas songs. In the week before Christmas, children go from house to house dressed as shepherds, playing pipes, singing, and reciting Christmas poems. They are given money to buy presents.

A strict fast is observed for 24 hours before Christmas Eve, and is followed by a celebration meal, including a light Milanese cake called panettone as well as chocolate. Presents and empty boxes are drawn from the Urn of Fate which always contains one gift per person. By twilight, candles are lit around the family crib known as the Presepio, prayers are said, and children recite poems. At noon on Christmas Day the Pope gives his blessing to crowds gathered in the huge Vatican square.

In Italy, the children wait until Epiphany, January 6, for their presents. According to tradition, the presents are delivered by a kind ugly witch called Befana on a broomstick. It was said that she was told by the three kings when Jesus was born, but she was busy and delayed visiting the baby. She missed the Star, lost her way, and has been flying around ever since, leaving presents at every house with children in case Jesus is there. She slides down chimneys, and fills stockings and shoes with good things for good children, and leaves coal for children who are not so good.

As for me, Christmas will include spending time with loved ones and my favourite part: LEFTOVERS!

Season’s Greetings to all!