1. CHRISTMAS IS A CATHOLIC FESTIVITY AND IN OUR COUNTRY WE PREPARE A LOT OF THINGS TO REMEMBER THE NATIVITY OF JESUS CHRIST.

2. On the 8th of december we decorate the Xmas tree as in many other countries in the world. Balls, candles, comet star,... And under the tree few days before the 25th appear lots of presents for all the family.

3. We decorate the tree in the garden or at home

4. We prepare also the crib: The hut Mary and Josef ( Jesus’ parents ) Baby Jesus, in the manger, on straw as a bed The donkey and the ox The angels The shepherds and their sheep

5. The crib is big.... or very small !!!

6. Artistic Cribs

7. Living cribs with villages’ people A very old tradition starting from S. Francis in medieval times

8. Kids wait for Father Christmas. He comes down the fireplace and... He leaves to good children a lot of presents!!!

9. He goes around the world with his sleigh and his reindeers

10. Children try to remain awake till midnight, but at last they fall asleep and in the morning they find their presents!!!

11. Up to our mountains, in Courmayeur, Father Christmas is “Rhemy de Nöel” His house is under the giant’s tooth ( the big mountain behind him ). From an old legend up to our days Father Xmas offers hot chocolate to kids and hot spicied red wine to parents

12. But also in Nizza we have our Father Christmas

13. On the 25th all the family is together for Christmas Lunch Agnolotti Lasagne Cappone Zampone(pig’s trotter) Cheese Fish in south Italy

14. And a lot of SWEEEEEEEETS

15. At school we eat PANDORO, we prefer it because it’s without raisins and candied fruit

16. After that we don’t finish our festivities, we’ve got also the BEFANA An old lady who gives us presents if we were good or black coal if we were bad... On the 6th of January

17. Now, after the BEFANA, all the family puts on a rigid diet

18. 3rd class children E. Rossignoli Nizza Monferrato