During the Novena children go from place to place reciting Christmas poems and expect coins in return, which they use to buy delicacies.
A Christmas log, or Appo, is burned and a Ceppo is displayed. The ceppo is a pyramid shaped structure that displays the presipio on the bottom level and holds gifts or food on the higher levels. The presipio represents in miniature the Holy family in the stable and is the center of Christmas for Italian families.
Instead of Santa, Italian children wait for La Befana to bring them presents on the Epiphany. She is described as an old woman who rides around on a broom bringing gifts for good children and coal for bad children.
On New Year's, instead of having a ball drop like we do, Italians throw old furniture out the window as a symbol of throwing out the old year and beginning the new. Its definitely not safe outside after dark on New Years!
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