Posted By Mary Freeland on December 18, 2009

Celebrate your Christmas like a true Tuscan this year. With your home beautifully decorated in the Tuscan style, it only seems fair to incorporate the best Italian holiday traditions into your Christmas celebrations this year. So why not go all out and have yourself a merry Buon Natale this year!

Party Hard, Party Long

Starting eight days before Christmas, the Italian Christmas celebration lasts for a full three weeks. Beginning with the novena, a series of church services, prayers, and Advent-type preparation, the Tuscan Christmas season lasts all the way through Epiphany. That’s three weeks of food, family, and fun. According to my calculations, that means your Italian Christmas should have started on December 17. So if you haven’t started celebrating the holidays already, you’re late! Get started celebrating your Buon Natale with cookies feasting, and caroling.

Leave Those Presents Under the Tree Until January 6

While celebrating an Italian Christmas means the party lasts longer, you will have to wait a bit more for your presents. Like many European cultures, the Italians open presents on Epiphany, January 6. Although you will have to wait longer to see if you got everything on your list, exchanging gifts after Christmas Day does mean you can hit the sale rack for all of your gifting needs!

Eat, Eat, Eat

Like all good Italian celebrations, food takes center stage in your Tuscan Christmas. Traditionally a strict 24-hour fast is observed before the Christmas meal, but once the food is on the table, it’s a smorgasbord of treats. From anchovies and spaghetti to fruits, sweets, and fish, the Tuscans know how to cook a feast. Feel free to skip the fasting, but be sure to enjoy your fair share of the feasting for your Italian Christmas this year.

For all of your Tuscan décor needs, visit us at Tuscan Home Décor and Design today. We have the furnishings, accents, and accessories you need to turn your home into a Tuscan villa!

Categories: Uncategorized
Tags: casa cristina, tuscan, tuscan decorating