January 5

In Italy, January 5 is significant, perhaps as significant as Christmas Eve for many people in the U.S.

January 5 is the 11th day of Christmas, the day before the Feast of the Epiphany, which celebrates the arrival of the magi with their gifts.

According to Italian folklore, it is an old woman, not Father Christmas/Babbo Natale, who visits homes on the night of January 5 to deliver gifts to good children. 

She is called the Befana and is also known as the Christmas Witch.  The legend goes something like this:

"A long, long time ago, the Magi left their country bearing gifts of gold, incense and myrrh.  They were guided by a star across many countries.  At every village that they passed, people ran to meet them and accompany them on their journey. 

But there was one old woman who did not join the Magi.  She claimed she was too busy with her housework and promised to join them later.  The next day, she realized her mistake and frantically ran after the Magi with gifts for the child, still clutching her broom.  But it was too late.  The Magi were gone."

Since then, the Befana has been faithfully delivering gifts to children on the night of January 5.  She travels on a broom and enters homes via the chimney.

She fills the stockings of children with candy and presents, if they have been good.  If they have been bad, it's a case of no soup for you!  Instead, the Befana leaves coal, a stick or dark candy.  At a recent party, I party, I spoke with a Florentine who received "coal" in his sock when he was a child.
 He admitted to some bad behaviors. The co was sweet black candy. 

It turns out that the Befana is a good housekeeper.  Before she leaves, she sweeps the floor with her broom.  The sweeping signifies sweeping away the problems of the past year.

Being the Befana has its perqs.  In each house, the family leaves her a small glass of wine and a plate of food.  By the end of the night, the Befana must be weaving all over the sky on her broom. 

The Befana is not a pretty thing.  Instead, she is a hag, carrying a bag with candy and gifts, wearing a black shawl and covered in chimney soot.  Still, she is usually smiling and she is adored for the happiness she brings.

We hope the Befana sweeps away problems and brings you happiness in the coming year.

A traditional Befana gift--a broom with a bag of candy