Buon Natale; and welcome to Christmas in Italy! Like any country, Italy has its own Christmas traditions. 

Feast of the Seven Fishes is for you if you love seafood. I wonder, does the menu include salmon? As for seafood pasta, I once tried some pasta called “black braids” — I think  the Italian name was trecce neri. This pasta is made using squid ink; and for a fact it has a faint fishy odor and flavor.

Bagpipe music? I associate that with Scotland; but in Italy, bagpipe-playing commemerates the shepherds on the night of the Nativity. I suppose that shepherds would have had simple musical instruments, so they could entertain themselves during long periods out in the fields.

Skiing at midnight? My brother used to enjoy skiing; and he might have liked that. A stream of skiers carrying torches as they skim down the mountainside must be quite a sight!

Of course, people in Italy have quite an array of Christmas sweets: cookies; special breads — I feel my sweet tooth firing up merely thinking about it. I can’t say whether Lindt Intense Orange chocolate is among this spread of goodies; but I know I like it!

Italy, like some other nations, has Xmas markets; and children await the arrival of La Befana. This character brings presents to the kids; and she sounds like the polar opposite of Baba Yaga! 

Love Christmas Trees? Head for Gubbio to see the largest one on Earth. When I was six years old, I would have loved that. Even now I’d like to see it.

Naturally there are religious celebrations, including one at the Vatican. Even if church-going isn’t part of your Christmas, it’s fun to sing carols. In parts of Italy where it snows, there’s skiing (as mentioned above); and doubtless kids have snowball fights go sledding, and build snowmen.

It sounds great; so Buon Natale!