Have I missed Christmas on here?

Not too sure if I've missed a post on the festive season on here? We have spent only 2 Christmas holidays in Italy, one with family superb and the other on our own not quite as good. I've seen the question asked on many a forum as to what constitutes an Italian Christmas, mainly in terms of food! We have found it to be very festive and not too different from many in the UK. Just wondered how others have found it?  

I would love to spend a Christmas in Italy one day but haven't managed it yet.

In the south, its certainly not as commercial as in the UK - its all about food, and depends where you are.  In Naples eels are a must on Xmas eve, or baccala and pigs trotters and lentils on New Years Eve as everywhere.   Presents are tokens, and not the credit card busting stuff that people in the UK expect.   I prefer it, but have to get mincemeat and parsnips brought over.

Ah yes parsnips must be one of the most regular items brought over for Christmas, must look for some seeds while in the UK, £1.99 a packet seems a good deal...
Our "better" experience of Christmas in Italy may have been coloured (white) by the location, Antey Saint Andre, North of Torino being in a ski resort with lots of snow -  classic white Christmas in a log cabin. But what also made it for us was the local people out shopping on Christmas Eve, just a superb atmosphere in every little local shop. We ourselves don't even ski (most of the rest of the family did), but still had one of the best ever festive times.

modicasa wrote:In the south, its certainly not as commercial as in the UK - its all about food, and depends where you are.  In Naples eels are a must on Xmas eve, or baccala and pigs trotters and lentils on New Years Eve as everywhere.   Presents are tokens, and not the credit card busting stuff that people in the UK expect.   I prefer it, but have to get mincemeat and parsnips brought over.

I wonder if the UK is too commercial regards Christmas? This very subject was brought up on our local forum, some saying it is and others not. Is it perhaps another of those rural  v city things 

We have never spent Christmas in Italy, as we always come to San Francisco to spend it with our children. Although Christmas has become very "commercial" y guess that it all depends on personal attitudes and what "the true spirit of Christmas" represents to each one of us.

I too would love to experience some Italian Christmas food!

I am only really used to the UK, but it sounds like a nice experience! ^_^

Hoppimike wrote:I too would love to experience some Italian Christmas food!I am only really used to the UK, but it sounds like a nice experience! ^_^

... just watched BBC2  TOTP2 Christmas songs... (lots of dead stars). Ok, ok calm down... it was an accident, really! As you do I flicked and there it was - spellbound by the crass commercial rip-off of all time, I was hooked - well it is Sunday!!! At the risk of being called "awful" again I dare to post this AND claim the Pogues and Kirsty McColl was the best, but would not argue with John Lennon's "Happy Christmas"... So what would everyone else go for?

They ended with "Perfect Day" by Lou Reed, the BBC compilation charity version, which seems an apt ending lead for me to wish everyone here a "perfect day" where ever you are this Christmas...

Thank you for your lovely message Steve.  Very much appreciated by all, I have no doubt.

And perhaps I can join you by also wishing everyone here a happy, peaceful and perfect time wherever you are this Christmas.

stevegwmonkseaton wrote:

Hoppimike wrote:I too would love to experience some Italian Christmas food!I am only really used to the UK, but it sounds like a nice experience! ^_^

... just watched BBC2  TOTP2 Christmas songs... (lots of dead stars). Ok, ok calm down... it was an accident, really! As you do I flicked and there it was - spellbound by the crass commercial rip-off of all time, I was hooked - well it is Sunday!!! At the risk of being called "awful" again I dare to post this AND claim the Pogues and Kirsty McColl was the best, but would not argue with John Lennon's "Happy Christmas"... So what would everyone else go for? They ended with "Perfect Day" by Lou Reed, the BBC compilation charity version, which seems an apt ending lead for me to wish everyone here a "perfect day" where ever you are this Christmas...

haha, I like John Lennon stuff so I could quite happily go for that!

and thanks for the Christmas wishes Steve and ghiro - to both of you too! ^_^

Wishing everyone on the Forum a Happy Crimble and a Jolly New Year.....
       

Warm wishes to everyone. Have the best ever Christmas and may 2014 bring peace, joy, happiness and prosperity to all the world.