So tonight we are doing the whole "befana" thing with my 2 year old - the only thing is, I'm not quite sure what we are meant to do! (And my Italian OH is really vague about these things!) Do we leave a stocking out? Are we meant to leave anything else (ie a gift for the witch??) Is anyone else doing this? Any more info/stories gladly received!

I don’t have first hand experience, but from what I’ve heard from friends, “the Befana” comes in the middle of the night, so your daughter should wake up to find the stocking at the bottom of her bed. - Naughty kids get coal.

I think it varies what she gets, I’ve heard of families where they get nearly as much from the Befana as they do at Christmas, but more commonly I think they get a filled stocking of sweets and then one or 2 other toys.

BTW, notice my tactful writing incase any little ones are reading

Mine are getting sweets in their stockings still up from Christmas - they have enough toys!

I have got them some prettily wrapped fruit jellies (mine like these) and then I will get Mars bars and stuff too. I am trying to find Candy coal as well as apparently most kids get this too. The girl in the jellies shop was saying she just used to get sweets but she used to put her tights out Her parents filled them too!

P.S. I was in Bologna one freezing day last week - I love the shops and the old centre looked really fascinating with those big towers. I will be coming back soon!

Hi

If you have a fireplace, hang the sock (better if a large, woolen one)in front of it. Put sweets and little treats, or a toy in the sock. It is supposed to be a little toy, smaller than Christmas' even if in certain places the Befana IS the big tradition (i.e. Rome)
If you do not have the fireplace, the bed will do very good.

if and ONLY if your son has a sense of humour and he's grownup already a little joke would be sugar coal. But be very careful, I remember I weeped a day for having received sugar coal without understanding it was a joke.

It is usual for kids the day of the Befana to go to the Burattini or to some special representations at the Cinema . Check your local activities. There surely will be something going on for kids the day of the Befana.
For those in the Rome area, don't miss Piazza Navona or better MISS IT if you fear large crowds. In any case it's beautiful even if those last few years it's become too commercial and too full of cheap industrial toys.

BUONA BEFANA A TUTTI
Chia (a young "Befana" herself!)

We went to the Befana Fair in Piazza Navona before Christmas. Is it still on? I loved all the stalls selling Presepi and will go back next year for decorations - they were better than any I had seen here. I wish I had had one of the big Nutella covered doughnuts tho'

quote:

Originally posted by Chia of Bologna:
if and ONLY if your son has a sense of humour and he's grownup already a little joke would be sugar coal. But be very careful, I remember I weeped a day for having received sugar coal without understanding it was a joke.

Jeez! It seems I am not the only one who passed through a bad Befana's day in her tender age....

Buona Befana a tutte!

To you also Alice!

I went to one of the 99cent shops in Florence and spent about 20 euros!! But the kids should be sick and happy which is what matters. I love they way they just count the items in your basket and that is what you pay.

2 very happy children who will now be very sick later and hyper to boot no doubt ! The Parade of the 3 Magi starts outside our door at 2.30 so we are going to try to get out to see it - last few holidays here we have barely been able to move outside but it would be great if we can go.

Buon Befana!

I'm glad the kids are happy. It was a long night, but I think I covered everyone

How's about something for the big kids next year ?

What is "befana"? Please excuse my ignorance. Sounds lovely and I am sure that it will be something that my children will want to join in once we have moved

Hi!

try this:

CARA BEFANA
LA BEFANA

GOOD ARTICLE IN ENGLISH

W la Befana!
Chia

Thank you