When I spent my first Christmas in Italy, I admit I was pretty cynical. Although the spirit was there, I couldn't help but compare it to my Christmas back home and everything I missed about "my" traditional Christmas that I grew up with. The lavish houses we would drive by all decked out from lawn to roof.... the smell of fresh trees.... the Christmas music in every store... and most of all our family dinners and chaotic opening of the presents on Christmas Eve. Instead of concentrating on the new traditions I was going to make, I dwelled over what I missed back home.
This year is a different story and I am appreciating everything. I still love and miss my Christmases back home but it truly is a different story when you actually do stop and smell the roses, or in this case, the chestnuts roasting! Here in our little town, there's many more apartments and condominiums than single houses with porches and front yards. We don't get a whole production like back in L.A. but many people decorate their balconies with lights and Santa dolls climbing up the railing and it is just as beautiful and just as Christmasy. I still get to adore seeing some family Christmas trees making their display in home windows and Christmas shopping in full force. This past weekend they set up a little open market in our community parking lot where they sold novelty items, trinkets and knick knacks, toys, and sweets and chestnuts roasting. Really gets you in the Christmas spirit!
Surprisingly, one thing that is new to me is our nieces and nephews who believe in Santa Claus or as they call him here, Babbo Natale. There is nothing like childhood innocence. They all wrote letters to Santa and told him they have been good and what they want for Christmas. I never actually was made to believe Santa Claus really existed when I was a kid so this was new to me. Then on Christmas Eve, one of our family members dresses up as Santa and brings the gifts to the kids. Can't get any more precious than that.
But so far, the most favorite experience I have had, is cozying up with my husband at home the other evening watching TV with the lights off, and christmas tree lights glimmering in the corner of our living room. But that's not all, a group of people are playing instruments to Silent Night right downstairs from our balcony. It was magical and like in the movies. I absolutely adore the band members who have been walking around the town every evening like carolers and playing Christmas songs. I run to the balcony every time and just take it all in like a nice warm cup of hot apple cider. It really doesn't get more perfect than that.
Wherever you may be on Christmas, whether you are at home or somewhere new, you can still get in the spirit and especially if you are with ones you love. Merry Christmas and Buon Natale everyone!
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