For many children, Christmas comes to a close when the last presents are unwrapped.
But this is not the case in Italy! The magic of Christmas continues until the 12th day of Christmas – Epiphany – when La Befana arrives.
The Befana is a mythical character in Italian folklore who brings gifts to all those ‘well-behaved’ children on the night of January 5th, similar to how Babbo Natale brings gifts on the night of the 24th. The Befana takes the form of an old woman, somewhat scary looking, similar to a kind witch bearing treats.
The Befana flies on her broom atop rooftops and just like Santa, comes down the chimney to fill stockings with treats. Whether you are in Italy for the holiday season or looking to incorporate this Italian tradition into your Christmas holiday, grab your broom and get ready to play the Befana!
Let’s take a look at the sweet treats Italian kids get from the Befana in Italy on Epiphany.
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The Befana Tradition
The Befana typically brings children sweet treats, citrus fruit, nuts and even a small toy on Epiphany by filling up a small stocking left out the light before by children in Italy.
This is meant for ‘well-behaved’ children while those who have a harder time following orders are threatened with coal instead of treats.
Historically, children would put out a stocking or sock for the Befana to fill accompanied by a seasonal fruit and a glass of wine for the Befana to drink but in recent times this tradition has changed.
Today, most children are given a pre-prepared sock that can be purchased in small shops and grocery stores that are already filled with goodies. They are made by large candy and chocolate companies in collaboration with brand names, movies or other popular toys (Kinder, Bacio chocolate, Minion, Frozen, Disney, etc.).
A store bought Befana sock is small and stapled or sealed shut and will be filled with chocolate, candy and usually one cheap plastic item in theme with the sock you have purchased (a plastic mini Elsa or a Spiderman, for example). There may also be stickers, tattoos or a small story included inside.
How to Make a Traditional Befana Sock for Your Kids
Buying pre-made Befana socks can be tempting as they are easy and require no effort (and after a long holiday season, many of us parents aren’t really in the mood for wrapping more gifts) but they are pretty commercial and not very interesting. If you are in Italy traveling, however, small children who have never woken up to a Befana sock will love them!
As a mom of four in Italy, I have done both and I much prefer the homemade Befana socks. They are pretty easy to create and so much nicer than what you can buy.
There is no need to individually wrap what you put in the stocking. If you follow a Christmas morning stocking tradition, feel free to have your kids put out those stockings again or you can use an old sock or another bag of some kind. Simply fill it with a variety of the following, without over stuffing it:
- Candy
- Chocolate (coins work well)
- Nougat
- Cookies
- Tangerines
- Nuts in their shell
- 1 small toy or useful item (a couple markers, pencil sharpener, a hand puzzle, a small stuffed animal or figurine)
That’s it! I also always like to add the tiniest little bit of coal wrapped in tin foil at the bottom of each stocking to let my kids know that while they are usually well-behaved, there is always room to improve and become a better you.
Learn More about Italian Christmas:
Traditional Christmas Foods in Italy
Italian Christmas Day Meal – What We Eat for Lunch or Dinner
Traditional Italian Christmas Eve Dinner
Italian Christmas Cookies to Try
Italian Desserts to Serve at Christmas Dinner
Pandoro vs Panettone – An Italian Christmas Cake Showdown
How to Cut Pandoro and How to Cut Panettone
Foods to Eat in Italy in December
My Gift Guides (Perfect for the Holidays)
Italian Food Stocking Stuffers
Christmas Gifts for Chefs
The Christmas Market in Montepulciano
Sweet Treats Italian Kids Get From The Befana
