Long live La Befana!

The hag is La Befana and on her annual visit she fills children’s stockings with candy and chocolate. Like Santa Claus, La Befana requires some cake and milk for her night’s work too.

The annual delivery of gifts is preceded by a report card of sorts from La Befana on the children’s behaviour. The gifts are saved for the children who have behaved well during the year, with the naughty children receiving coal instead. However, the coal is usually rock candy made black with caramel colouring meaning the repercussions for a year of mischief aren’t quite the harsh deterrent this first implies.

The origins of La Befana are debateable. One Christian version tells of how she refused to join the three wise men on their journey to see the baby Jesus. After realising her mistake she has spent the rest of her life searching for them on her broom while giving all the good children gifts on her quest.

Another slightly darker version claims that having suffered the loss of her own child, a slightly crazed Befana became convinced the baby Jesus was her own and presented him with a plethora of gifts. In return Jesus made her the mother of every child in Italy.

Some claim Befana has simply resulted from the Italians mispronunciation of the Greek word epifiana (Epiphany) as the holiday falls on the Feast of the Epiphany. While there are those who attribute the tradition to ancient pagan rituals of exchanging gifts or of burning the puppet of an old lady to usher in a new year.

Some countries such as Slovenia, which can boast 3 Santa-like figures, also have their advantages. However, Italian children are still at a relative advantage compared to most. While the majority of boys and girls around the world are readying themselves for a return to school and attempting to mend their already broken toys, Italian children are still celebrating the festive season.