Christmas festivities are a time of gathering, excitement, and traditions deeply rooted in each country’s culture. Although Spain and Italy share Mediterranean roots and a strong Christian influence, their ways of celebrating Christmas show interesting differences, especially when it comes to family customs and traditional food.
In Spain, Christmas officially begins with the lighting of the city decorations and the celebration on December 22nd, the day of the famous Extraordinary Christmas Lottery, an event with deep emotional significance for many Spaniards. Christmas Eve, December 24th, is one of the most important moments: families gather for dinner, and although Santa Claus is becoming more common, the most traditional gift-giving day remains January 6th, the Day of the Three Kings. The parade on January 5th is one of the most anticipated events, especially for children.
In Italy, the Christmas spirit begins with the long weekend of the Immaculate Conception (December 8th), when many families decorate the tree and set up the presepe, a deeply rooted tradition, especially in the south. The figure of Babbo Natale (Santa Claus) has grown in popularity, but in some regions, such as Verona, other figures deliver gifts, like Saint Lucy on December 13th. Italian Christmas also places special emphasis on New Year’s Eve (Capodanno) and Epiphany, when the Befana, a friendly witch, distributes sweets or coal to children on January 6th.
One of the things that stands out the most—at least to me, because it fascinates and puzzles me— is how the arrival of the New Year is celebrated. While in Spain we gather with friends and family and at midnight we do eat 12 grapes representing good luck for the next 12 months… in Italy, at 00:00 they eat a plate of… lentils! #shock
Yes, you read that right. After finishing dinner, they eat a plate of lentils meant to symbolize abundance in the new year. How? Very simple: lentils resemble coins (although honestly, I wonder what coins they used to have in Italy if they were that small!). Jokes aside, due to their round shape they do remember coins, and they symbolize prosperity. But of course… try going to sleep after that, with a full stomach!
MORE FOOD… MORE FAMILY… MORE JOY
The Christmas table is one of the most characteristic elements of the celebrations in both countries. In Spain, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are celebrated with abundance: seafood, roast lamb or suckling pig are common, depending on the region. Sweets are essential: turrón, polvorones, mazapanes, and the roscón de Reyes are staples that appear on almost every Christmas table.
Italy, on the other hand, turns festive meals into true gastronomic rituals. The menu varies greatly by region, but Christmas Eve is often associated with eating fish, such as baccalà or capitone (eel). For Christmas lunch, dishes like lasagne, cappelletti in brodo, lamb or bollito misto are classics. When it comes to desserts, two major stars compete for the crown: panettone and pandoro, each with passionate defenders. Italian torrone also stands out, similar yet different from Spanish turrón in both texture and preparation.
Although Spain and Italy share a similar Christmas spirit—centered on family, tradition, and good food—their customs reveal unique nuances that reflect their cultural identities. From the Spanish Three Kings to the Italian Befana, from turrón to panettone, Christmas in both countries is a delicious and history-filled journey, perfect for anyone who enjoys Mediterranean traditions in their warmest form.
