ITALIAN-INSPIRED CHRISTMAS

The festive season sparks joy and anticipation, so why not make the most of it by stepping away from some of the traditional pressures in favour of a more relaxed Italian-inspired Christmas?

We’ve pulled together tips and inspiration on hosting the festive season at home in a uniquely Italian way where the focus is on simplicity, so that you get to spend more time with family and friends.

LET THE FESTIVITIES BEGIN (EARLY!)

Seasonal festivities start early in Italy and go on for much longer. Italians start celebrating on 8^th December when they put up their Christmas trees and decorate houses, continuing right through until the ‘Epiphany’ national holiday on 6^th January.

Italians don’t have a specific day dedicated to exchanging gifts. While some might on Christmas Eve, for others it can be anytime up to two weeks before.

But spending time with loved ones during the festive season is a gift that’s priceless. This can be as simple as getting together with a friend for a pint of BIRRA MORETTI down your local pub, or hosting a festive gathering at home for your nearest and dearest.

WELCOMING CHRISTMAS INSIDE

Guests always receive a warm and cosy welcome in Italy, which you can dial up for Christmas with festive sights and smells around your home.

Italian homes are beautifully decorated with festive door wreaths and window lights, but it’s the traditional decorations that set them apart. One of the most popular is ‘Ceppo’, also known as the ‘Tree of Light’. These wooden decorations, in the pyramid shape of a Christmas tree, feature several shelves; a ‘presepe’ (nativity scene) on the bottom, with a mix of fruit, nuts, sweets and presents above. Topped with an angel, star, or pineapple (signifying hospitality), they make for an eye-catching table centrepiece.

Why not recreate the alluring smells of an Italian Christmas market by roasting chestnuts in the oven? Serve up alongside a festive panettone for the all-familiar aroma that trickles out of Italian bakeries at this time of year, and light candles for the distinctive crackle and smell of the local churches displaying ‘presepe’.

FOOD & TOGETHERNESS

Trade the pressure of making things ‘picture perfect’ for a more relaxed focus on sharing simple and delicious food in the company of loved ones. A passion for quality food brings Italian families and friends together, where it’s enjoyed over clinking bottles of BIRRA MORETTI L’AUTENTICA and BIRRA MORETTI ZERO.

The table is at the heart of all festive get-togethers in Italy where it doesn’t matter how big or grand it is, only that everyone has a seat. So, don’t be put off hosting because your table isn’t big enough, or you don’t have enough chairs. Improvise with a painting table, or pull in a table from outside – simply throw over a tablecloth and relish in the creative freedom of the mishmash of chairs from different rooms.

If you’ve got guests coming around in the lead up to the big day, enjoy a BIRRA MORETTI Aperitivo alongside effortless antipasti boards. They taste great with both BIRRA MORETTI L’AUTENTICA and BIRRA MORETTI ZERO and you can enjoy getting creative; why not try arranging your antipasti as a Christmas wreath, or in the shape of a traditional ‘Ceppo’ (Tree of Light), to add a festive theme?

When it comes to Christmas Day, consider inviting loved ones to share the load. Italians thrive on exchanging recipes, so invite everyone to bring a dish along and watch the conversation and intrigue unfold. Try mixing it up like Italians do with a combination of seafood and pasta, alongside your roast.

DISCOVER ITALIAN CHRISTMAS FOOD & DRINK IDEAS HERE

INTO THE NEW YEAR

‘Natale con i tuoi, capodanno con chi vuoi’ is a popular saying in Italy, which means if you spend Christmas with your parents, you can meet up with whoever you want for New Year’s Eve!

This is when eccentric age-old customs start to make a fond appearance, like opening a window in a dark room to let cold air in just before midnight (believed to let the ‘bad’ out), while shutting the door to a room with the light on (to keep the ‘good’ in).

Whilst not everyone follows these types of traditions, sharing and enjoying BIRRA MORETTI in the countdown to the new year in the company of friends is one constant – a time to reflect and reminisce on the year gone by, while looking ahead and toasting in the new one.

DISCOVER MORE ITALIAN NEW YEAR TRADITIONS HERE

THE ITALIAN WAY

What really sets an Italian Christmas apart? It’s the ingrained approach to keeping things simple, not sweating the small stuff, and taking time to eat and drink well in the company of loved ones.