1

Christmas traditions are the traditions associated with Christmas.

Le tradizioni di Natale sono usanze collegate al Natale.

2

General

Generalità

3

An enormous number of customs, with either secular, religious, or national aspects, surround Christmas, and vary from country to country.

Un enorme numero di usanze con aspetti laici, religiosi e nazionali ruotano attorno al Natale e variano da nazione a nazione.

4

Most of the familiar traditional practices and symbols of Christmas, such as the Christmas tree, the Christmas ham, the Yule log, holly, mistletoe, and the giving of presents, were adapted or appropriated by Christian missionaries from the earlier Ásatrú pagan midwinter holiday of Yule.

La maggior parte delle abitudini familiari tradizionali e dei simboli del Natale, come l’albero di Natale, il prosciutto di Natale, il ceppo di Natale, l’agrifoglio, il vischio e il portar doni furono adattate o imitate dai missionari cristiani dall'antica festa pagana di Yule (festa di metà inverno) della religione Asatru.

5

This celebration of the winter solstice was widespread and popular in northern Europe long before the arrival of Christianity, and the word for Christmas in the Scandinavian languages is still today the pagan jul (=yule).

Questa celebrazione del solstizio d’inverno era assai diffusa e popolare nell’Europa del Nord molto prima dell’arrivo del Cristianesimo, e la parola che corrisponde a "Natale" nelle lingue scandinave è ancor oggi il termine pagano jul (=yule).

6

The Christmas tree per se is believed to have first been used in Germany.

Quanto all’albero di Natale in sé, si ritiene che sia stato usato per la prima volta in Germania.

7

Rather than attempting to suppress such popular pagan feast days, Pope Gregory I allowed Christian missionaries to give them a Christian reinterpretation, while permitting most of the associated customs to continue with little or no modification.

Piuttosto che tentare di sopprimere queste popolari festività pagane, papa Gregorio I permise ai missionari cristiani di dar loro una reinterpretazione cristiana, consentendo che la maggior parte delle usanze ad esse associate potesse continuare con piccole o inesistenti modifiche.

8

Places where conservative Christian theocracies flourished, as in Cromwellian England and in the early New England colonies, were among those where celebrations were suppressed.

I luoghi in cui le teocrazie conservatrici cristiane prosperavano, come nell’Inghilterra di Cromwell e nelle prime colonie del New England, furono tra quelli in cui le celebrazioni furono soppresse.

9

A few present day Christian churches, notably the Jehovah's Witnesses, some Puritan groups, and some ultra-conservative fundamentalist denominations, still view Christmas as a pagan holiday not sanctioned by the Bible, and do not celebrate it.

Alcune delle chiese cristiane attuali, in particolare i Testimoni di Geova, alcuni gruppi puritani e alcune sette di  fondamentalisti ultraconsevatori  vedono ancora il Natale come una festa pagana non sancita dalla Bibbia e non lo celebrano.

10

Secular customs

Usanze laiche

11

Since the customs of Christmas celebration largely evolved in Northern Europe, many are associated with the Northern Hemisphere winter, whose motifs are prominent in Christmas decorations and in the Santa Claus myth.

Dato che le usanze della celebrazione del Natale si svilupparono per lo più nel nord Europa, molte sono associate con l’inverno dell’emisfero boreale, i cui temi sono predominanti nelle decorazioni di Natale e nella leggenda di Babbo Natale. 

12

Santa Claus and other bringers of gifts

Babbo Natale ed altri portatori di doni

13

Gift-giving is a near-universal part of Christmas celebrations.

Il portare regali è una componente quasi universale delle celebrazioni del Natale.

14

The concept of a mythical figure who brings gifts to children derives from Saint Nicholas, a good hearted bishop of 4th century Asia Minor.

L’idea di una figura leggendaria che porta regali ai bambini deriva da San Nicola, un vescovo di buon cuore dell'Asia Minore del 4° secolo dopo Cristo.

15

The Dutch modeled a gift-giving Saint Nicholas around his feast day of December 6.

Gli olandesi costruirono un San Nicola portatore di regali nel giorno festivo a lui dedicato, il 6 dicembre.

16

In North America, English colonists adopted aspects of this celebration into their Christmas holiday, and Sinterklaas became Santa Claus, or Saint Nick.

Nel Nord America i colonizzatori inglesi inserirono degli elementi di questa celebrazione nella loro festa di Natale, e Sinterklaas divenne Santa Claus o Saint Nick.

17

In the UK, whilst this name is widely known, "Father Christmas" is more common.

In UK, pur essendo il nome "Santa Claus" ampiamente noto, la designazione “Babbo Natale “ è più comune.

18

In the Anglo-American tradition, this jovial fellow arrives on Christmas Eve on a sleigh pulled by reindeer, climbs down the chimney, leaves gifts for the children, and eats the food they leave for him.

Nella tradizione anglo-americana quest'allegro personaggio arriva la vigilia di Natale su una slitta trascinata da renne, scende giù per i camini, lascia regali per i bambini e mangia il cibo che essi hanno lasciato per lui.

19

He spends the rest of the year making toys and keeping lists on the behavior of the children.

Egli trascorre il resto dell’anno a costruire giocattoli e a stilare le note sulla condotta dei bambini.

20

The French equivalent of Santa, Père Noel, evolved along similar lines, his red and white clothing inspired by the Coca-Cola commercial drawings of Santa which spread worldwide in the 1930s.

L’equivalente francese di Babbo Natale, Père Noel, è evoluto in modo analogo. Il suo abito rosso e bianco fu ispirato dai disegni pubblicitari di Babbo Natale della Coca Cola che si diffusero in tutto il mondo negli anni '30.

21

In some cultures Santa Claus is accompanied by Knecht Ruprecht, or Black Peter.

In alcune culture Santa Claus è accompagnato da Knecht Ruprecht o da Black Peter (Pietro Nero). 

22

In some versions, elves in a toy workshop make the holiday toys, and in some he is married to Mrs. Claus.

In alcune versioni della leggenda, gli elfi di una fabbrica di giocattoli costruiscono i giocattoli per la festa e, in alcune altre, egli è sposato con la Signora Natale.

23

Many shopping malls in North America and the United Kingdom have a holiday mall Santa Claus whom children can visit to ask for presents.

Molti centri commerciali nel Nord America e nel Regno Unito, nel periodo delle festività, hanno un Babbo Natale interno a cui i bambini possono fare visita per chiedere i regali.

24

In many countries, children leave empty containers for Santa to fill with small gifts such as toys, candy, or fruit.

In molti paesi i bambini lasciano in giro dei contenitori vuoti perché Babbo Natale li riempia con piccoli regali come giocattoli, caramelle o frutta. 

25

In the United States, children hang a Christmas stocking by the fireplace on Christmas Eve, because Santa is said to come down the chimney the night before Christmas to fill them.

Negli Stati Uniti i bambini appendono una calza di Natale davanti al camino alla vigilia di Natale perché si dice che Babbo Natale venga giù dal camino la notte prima di Natale per riempirla.

26

In other countries, children place their empty shoes out for Santa to fill on the night before Christmas, or for Saint Nicholas on December 5.

In altri paesi, i bambini mettono le loro scarpe vuote fuori dalla porta in modo che Babbo Natale le riempia nella notte prima di Natale o per San Nicola, il 5 dicembre.

27

Gift giving is not restricted to these special gift-bringers, as family members and friends also bestow gifts on each other.

Il portare doni non è limitato solo a questi portatori di doni leggendari, anche i membri della famiglia e gli amici si scambiano regali tra loro.

28

Timing of gifts

Quando si fanno i regali

29

In many countries, Saint Nicholas Day (December 6) remains the principal day for gift giving.

In molti paesi il giorno di S Nicola (6 dicembre) resta il giorno principale per portare i regali.

30

In much of Germany, children put shoes out on window sills on the night of December 5, and find them filled with candy and small gifts the next morning.

In gran parte della Germania i bambini mettono le scarpe sui davanzali delle finestre nella notte del 5 dicembre e se le ritrovano riempite di caramelle e di piccoli regali il mattino dopo.

31

In such places, including the Netherlands, Christmas day remains more a religious holiday.

In tali località, compresa l’Olanda, il giorno di Natale resta più che altro una festa religiosa.

32

In Spain, and in countries with similar traditions, gifts are brought by the Magi, fortune tellers and priests of a pagan religion, at Epiphany on 6 January.

In Spagna e nei paesi con tradizioni analoghe i regali sono portati dai Re Magi, indovini e sacerdoti di una religione pagana, il 6 gennaio in occasione dell'Epifania.

33

One of the many customs of gift timing is suggested by the song Twelve Days of Christmas, celebrating an old British tradition of gifts each day from Christmas to Epiphany.

Una delle molte usanze relative a quando fare i regali è suggerita dalla canzone Dodici giorni di Natale che celebra una vecchia tradizione britannica di fare regali ogni giorno da Natale all’Epifania.

34

In most of the world, Christmas gifts are given at night on Christmas Eve (24 December) or in the morning on Christmas Day.

Nella maggior parte del globo, i regali di Natale sono dati nel corso della notte della vigilia (24 dicembre) o durante il mattino del giorno di Natale.

35

Until the recent past, gifts were given in the UK to non-family members on Boxing Day, 26 December.

Fino a poco tempo fa, nel Regno Unito, i regali destinati ad amici e conoscenti (lett. ai non appartenenti alla propria famiglia) venivano dati nel giorno di Santo Stefano, il 26 dicembre.

36

Christmas cards

Biglietti natalizi

37

Christmas cards are extremely popular in the United States and Europe, in part as a way to maintain relationships with distant relatives and friends, and with business acquaintances.

I biglietti natalizi sono estremamente popolari negli Stati Uniti e in Europa, in parte come modo per mantenere i contatti con parenti lontani e amici e con coloro con cui si intrattengono rapporti di affari.

38

Many families enclose an annual family photograph with the card, and/or a family newsletter which summarizes the adventures and accomplishments of family members during the preceding year.

Molte famiglie allegano al biglietto natalizio la foto di famiglia annuale e/o una newsletter che riassume gli eventi principali e quanto realizzato di buono dai membri della famiglia durante l’anno che volge alla fine.

39

Decorations

Decorazioni

40

Decorating a Christmas tree with Christmas lights and Christmas ornaments, and the decoration of the interior of the home with garlands (particularly tinsel) and evergreen foliage, particularly holly and mistletoe, are common traditions.

Decorare un albero di Natale con luci e ornamenti tipici e decorare l’interno della casa con ghirlande (soprattutto di fili argentati o dorati) e foglie di  sempreverdi, in modo particolare agrifoglio e vischio, sono delle usanze piuttosto comuni.

41

In North and South America and to a lesser extent Europe, it is traditional to decorate the outside of houses with lights, and sometimes with illuminated sleighs, snowmen, and other Christmas figures.

Nel Nord e nel Sud America, e in minor misura in Europa, è tradizione decorare l’esterno delle case con luci e, talora, con slitte illuminate, pupazzi di neve e altre figure di Natale.

42

Christmas villages are popular mantelpiece ornaments.

I villaggi di Natale sono ornamenti comuni di mensole di camino.
Nota: Vedi un esempio di villaggio di Natale qui.

43

The traditional Christmas flower is the poinsettia.

Il fiore tradizionale di Natale è la stella di Natale.

44

Other popular holiday plants are holly, red amaryllis and Christmas cactus.

Altre popolari piante della tradizione festiva sono l’agrifoglio, l’amarillide rossa e il cactus di Natale.

45

Municipalities often sponsor decorations as well, hanging Christmas banners from street lights or placing Christmas trees in the town square.

I comuni spesso sponsorizzano anche le decorazioni facendo appendere striscioni natalizi da un lampione all'altro o collocando alberi di Natale nella piazza principale della città.

46

In the United States, decorations once commonly included religious themes.

Negli Stati Uniti, un tempo le decorazioni comprendevano spesso dei temi religiosi.

47

This practice has led to much adjudication, as opponents insist that it amounts to the government endorsing one particular religious faith.

Questa pratica ha portato a molte decisioni dei giudici di merito, dato che chi vi si oppone sostiene che è equivalente al fatto che il governo si faccia propugnatore di una particolare fede religiosa.

48

Social aspects and entertainment

Aspetti sociali e festeggiamenti

49

In many countries, businesses, schools, and communities have Christmas parties and dances.

In molte nazioni, aziende, scuole e comunità organizzano feste di Natale e balli. 

50

These often take place during the several weeks before Christmas Day.

Queste spesso si svolgono diverse settimane prima del giorno di Natale.

51

Some groups put on Christmas pageants, which may or may not include a retelling of the story of the birth of Christ.

Alcuni gruppi allestiscono degli spettacoli teatrali di Natale che possono o no ricomprendere il racconto della storia della nascita di Cristo.

52

Such enactments are especially common in Latin America.

Questi allestimenti scenici sono particolarmente frequenti in America Latina.

53

Groups also may go out carolling, visiting neighborhood homes to sing Christmas songs.

Dei gruppi possono anche andare per strada a cantare canti natalizi e visitare le case del quartiere per cantare assieme le canzoni di Natale.

54

Others are reminded by the holiday of man's fellowship with man, and do extra volunteer work, or hold fundraising drives for charities.

La festività ricorda ad altri il senso della solidarietà umana* ed essi prestano opera di volontariato più del solito o organizzano campagne di raccolta di fondi a beneficio delle associazioni caritatevoli.
* lett. Altri sono ricordati dalla festa della fraternità dell'uomo con l'uomo.

55

On Christmas Day or on Christmas Eve, a special meal of Christmas dishes is usually served, for which there are traditional menus in each country.

Nel giorno di Natale o nel giorno della Vigilia viene tradizionalmente servito un pranzo speciale composto da piatti natalizi, a cui corrispondono menù tradizionali in ogni nazione.

56

In some regions, particularly in Eastern Europe, these family feasts are preceded by a period of fasting.

In alcune zone, particolarmente nell’Europa dell’Est, questi banchetti familiari sono preceduti da un periodo di digiuno.

57

Candy and treats are also part of the Christmas celebration in many countries.

Caramelle e dolcetti fanno anch'essi parte della celebrazione natalizia in molti paesi.

58

Candy canes are a popular Christmas treat, and may double as a decoration or Christmas ornament.

I bastoni di Natale sono leccornie molto popolari che possono anche essere usate come decorazioni o ornamenti natalizi.
Nota: vedi un bastone di Natale qui

59

Religious customs and celebrations

Tradizioni e celebrazioni religiose

60

The religious celebrations begin with Advent, the anticipation of Christ's birth, around the start of December, and are marked by special church services.

Le celebrazioni religiose cominciano con l’Avvento, l’attesa della nascita di Cristo, verso l’inizio di dicembre, e sono contrassegnate da particolari celebrazioni liturgiche.

61

Advent services often include Advent carols, and the period is also celebrated with Advent calendars, sometimes containing sweets and chocolate for children.

I riti dell’avvento spesso comprendono i canti dell’avvento. Questo periodo è anche celebrato con i calendari dell’avvento, che contengono a volte caramelle e cioccolatini per i bambini.

62

Immediately before Christmas, there are many Christmas services at churches, at which Christmas hymns and Christmas carols are sung.

Subito prima di Natale nelle chiese si svolgono molti riti liturgici natalizi duranti i quali vengono intonati inni e canti di Natale.

63

On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, special services may include a midnight mass or a Mass of the Nativity.

Alla vigilia e nel giorno di Natale i riti speciali possono comprendere la messa di mezzanotte o la Messa della Natività.

64

The holiday's popularity is so pronounced that other faiths have emphasized their own winter holidays to serve as a Christmas surrogate.

La popolarità di questa festa è così vasta che altre fedi religiose hanno attribuito maggiore importanza alle proprie festività del periodo invernale per creare una sorta di surrogato del Natale cristiano.

65

The most obvious example is Judaism's Hanukkah, which in the 20th century has evolved a similar tradition of family gift-giving.

L’esempio più eclatante è la festa ebraica di Hanukkah che nel 20° secolo ha visto nascere un'analoga tradizione di scambio di regali in famiglia.

66

Christmas has a reasonable amount of acceptance in the Islamic world, as Jesus is regarded as a prophet of Islam and a celebration of his birth is not to be rejected outright.

Il Natale è anche abbastanza accettato nel mondo islamico dato che Gesù è visto come un profeta dell’Islam e la celebrazione della sua nascita non è da rifiutarsi a priori.

67

Many western, secular aspects of Christmas are becoming common in politically-moderate Muslim nations.

Molti aspetti occidentali e laici del Natale si stanno diffondendo nelle nazioni musulmane  politicamente moderate.

Christmas traditions are the traditions associated with Christmas.

General

An enormous number of customs, with either secular, religious, or national aspects, surround Christmas, and vary from country to country.

Most of the familiar traditional practices and symbols of Christmas, such as the Christmas tree, the Christmas ham, the Yule log, holly, mistletoe, and the giving of presents, were adapted or appropriated by Christian missionaries from the earlier Ásatrú pagan midwinter holiday of Yule.

This celebration of the winter solstice was widespread and popular in northern Europe long before the arrival of Christianity, and the word for Christmas in the Scandinavian languages is still today the pagan jul (=yule).

The Christmas tree per se is believed to have first been used in Germany.

Rather than attempting to suppress such popular pagan feast days, Pope Gregory I allowed Christian missionaries to give them a Christian reinterpretation, while permitting most of the associated customs to continue with little or no modification.

The give and take between religious and governmental authorities and celebrators of Christmas continued through the years.

Places where conservative Christian theocracies flourished, as in Cromwellian England and in the early New England colonies, were among those where celebrations were suppressed.

After the Russian Revolution, Christmas celebrations were banned in the Soviet Union for the next seventy five years.

A few present day Christian churches, notably the Jehovah's Witnesses, some Puritan groups, and some ultra-conservative fundamentalist denominations, still view Christmas as a pagan holiday not sanctioned by the Bible, and do not celebrate it.

Secular customs

Since the customs of Christmas celebration largely evolved in Northern Europe, many are associated with the Northern Hemisphere winter, whose motifs are prominent in Christmas decorations and in the Santa Claus myth.

Santa Claus and other bringers of gifts

Gift-giving is a near-universal part of Christmas celebrations.

The concept of a mythical figure who brings gifts to children derives from Saint Nicholas, a good hearted bishop of 4th century Asia Minor.

The Dutch modeled a gift-giving Saint Nicholas around his feast day of December 6.

In North America, English colonists adopted aspects of this celebration into their Christmas holiday, and Sinterklaas became Santa Claus, or Saint Nick.

In the UK, whilst this name is widely known, "Father Christmas" is more common.

In the Anglo-American tradition, this jovial fellow arrives on Christmas Eve on a sleigh pulled by reindeer, climbs down the chimney, leaves gifts for the children, and eats the food they leave for him.

He spends the rest of the year making toys and keeping lists on the behavior of the children.

The French equivalent of Santa, Père Noel, evolved along similar lines, his red and white clothing inspired by the Coca-Cola commercial drawings of Santa which spread worldwide in the 1930s.

In some cultures Santa Claus is accompanied by Knecht Ruprecht, or Black Peter.

In some versions, elves in a toy workshop make the holiday toys, and in some he is married to Mrs. Claus.

Many shopping malls in North America and the United Kingdom have a holiday mall Santa Claus whom children can visit to ask for presents.

In many countries, children leave empty containers for Santa to fill with small gifts such as toys, candy, or fruit.

In the United States, children hang a Christmas stocking by the fireplace on Christmas Eve, because Santa is said to come down the chimney the night before Christmas to fill them.

In other countries, children place their empty shoes out for Santa to fill on the night before Christmas, or for Saint Nicholas on December 5.

Gift giving is not restricted to these special gift-bringers, as family members and friends also bestow gifts on each other.

Timing of gifts

In many countries, Saint Nicholas Day (December 6) remains the principal day for gift giving.

In much of Germany, children put shoes out on window sills on the night of December 5, and find them filled with candy and small gifts the next morning.

In such places, including the Netherlands, Christmas day remains more a religious holiday.

In Spain, and in countries with similar traditions, gifts are brought by the Magi, fortune tellers and priests of a pagan religion, at Epiphany on 6 January.

One of the many customs of gift timing is suggested by the song Twelve Days of Christmas, celebrating an old British tradition of gifts each day from Christmas to Epiphany.

In most of the world, Christmas gifts are given at night on Christmas Eve (24 December) or in the morning on Christmas Day.

Until the recent past, gifts were given in the UK to non-family members on Boxing Day, 26 December.

Christmas cards

Christmas cards are extremely popular in the United States and Europe, in part as a way to maintain relationships with distant relatives and friends, and with business acquaintances.

Many families enclose an annual family photograph with the card, and/or a family newsletter which summarizes the adventures and accomplishments of family members during the preceding year.

Decorations

Decorating a Christmas tree with Christmas lights and Christmas ornaments, and the decoration of the interior of the home with garlands (particularly tinsel) and evergreen foliage, particularly holly and mistletoe, are common traditions.

In North and South America and to a lesser extent Europe, it is traditional to decorate the outside of houses with lights, and sometimes with illuminated sleighs, snowmen, and other Christmas figures.

Christmas villages are popular mantelpiece ornaments.

The traditional Christmas flower is the poinsettia.

Other popular holiday plants are holly, red amaryllis and Christmas cactus.

Municipalities often sponsor decorations as well, hanging Christmas banners from street lights or placing Christmas trees in the town square.

In the United States, decorations once commonly included religious themes.

This practice has led to much adjudication, as opponents insist that it amounts to the government endorsing one particular religious faith.

Social aspects and entertainment

In many countries, businesses, schools, and communities have Christmas parties and dances.

These often take place during the several weeks before Christmas Day.

Some groups put on Christmas pageants, which may or may not include a retelling of the story of the birth of Christ.

Such enactments are especially common in Latin America.

Groups also may go out carolling, visiting neighborhood homes to sing Christmas songs.

Others are reminded by the holiday of man's fellowship with man, and do extra volunteer work, or hold fundraising drives for charities.

On Christmas Day or on Christmas Eve, a special meal of Christmas dishes is usually served, for which there are traditional menus in each country.

In some regions, particularly in Eastern Europe, these family feasts are preceded by a period of fasting.

Candy and treats are also part of the Christmas celebration in many countries.

Candy canes are a popular Christmas treat, and may double as a decoration or Christmas ornament.

Religious customs and celebrations

The religious celebrations begin with Advent, the anticipation of Christ's birth, around the start of December, and are marked by special church services.

Advent services often include Advent carols, and the period is also celebrated with Advent calendars, sometimes containing sweets and chocolate for children.

Immediately before Christmas, there are many Christmas services at churches, at which Christmas hymns and Christmas carols are sung.

On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, special services may include a midnight mass or a Mass of the Nativity.

The holiday's popularity is so pronounced that other faiths have emphasized their own winter holidays to serve as a Christmas surrogate.

The most obvious example is Judaism's Hanukkah, which in the 20th century has evolved a similar tradition of family gift-giving.

Christmas has a reasonable amount of acceptance in the Islamic world, as Jesus is regarded as a prophet of Islam and a celebration of his birth is not to be rejected outright.

Many western, secular aspects of Christmas are becoming common in politically-moderate Muslim nations.