5 Ways Strega Nona Celebrates Merry Christmas

Christmas is a magical time of year, filled with wonder, joy, and warmth. For many of us, it's a time to come together with loved ones, share in festive traditions, and make merry. But have you ever wondered how some of our favorite storybook characters celebrate Christmas? Let's take a peek at how Strega Nona, the beloved Italian witch from Tomi dePaola's classic children's book, spends her holiday season.

For Strega Nona, Christmas is a time for feasting, merriment, and magic. She loves to invite her friends and family to join her in her cozy little house on the hill, where she's always cooking up a storm in the kitchen. The aroma of freshly baked cookies, roasting chestnuts, and simmering sauces wafts through the air, making everyone's mouth water in anticipation.

Strega Nona's Christmas celebrations are a true reflection of her Italian heritage. She decorates her house with traditional Italian decorations, such as presepi (Nativity scenes), lights, and garlands of evergreen and holly. She also makes sure to include all the traditional Italian Christmas treats, like panettone, pandoro, and struffoli.

Way 1: Cooking Up a Storm in the Kitchen

For Strega Nona, the kitchen is the heart of the home, especially during Christmas. She spends hours cooking up a storm, whipping up traditional Italian dishes like lasagna, chicken cacciatore, and osso buco. She also makes sure to include all the festive treats, like biscotti, amaretti, and zeppole. Her kitchen is always filled with the delicious aromas of freshly baked cookies, roasting meats, and simmering sauces.

Traditional Italian Christmas Treats

Some of Strega Nona's favorite Christmas treats include:

• Struffoli: Fried dough balls coated in honey and sprinkles
• Panettone: A sweet bread loaf typically served during Christmas
• Pandoro: A sweet bread loaf typically served during Christmas
• Biscotti: Twice-baked cookies perfect for dipping in coffee or wine
• Amaretti: Almond-flavored macarons
• Zeppole: Fried dough balls dusted with powdered sugar

Way 2: Decorating the House

Strega Nona loves to decorate her house for Christmas. She hangs garlands of evergreen and holly along the banister, sets up a beautiful presepi in the living room, and hangs lights and ornaments on the tree. She also makes sure to include all the traditional Italian Christmas decorations, like the Ceppo (a wooden Christmas pyramid) and the Presepi (Nativity scene).

Traditional Italian Christmas Decorations

Some of Strega Nona's favorite Christmas decorations include:

• Presepi: Nativity scenes
• Ceppo: A wooden Christmas pyramid
• Lights and ornaments on the tree
• Garlands of evergreen and holly
• Christmas wreaths on the doors

Way 3: Singing Christmas Carols

Strega Nona loves to sing Christmas carols with her friends and family. She's always belting out traditional Italian Christmas songs like "Tu Scendi dalle Stelle" and "Gesù Bambino". She also loves to join in on the festive fun, singing along to modern Christmas tunes like "Jingle Bell Rock" and "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer".

Traditional Italian Christmas Carols

Some of Strega Nona's favorite Christmas carols include:

• "Tu Scendi dalle Stelle" (You Come Down from the Stars)
• "Gesù Bambino" (Baby Jesus)
• "Adeste Fideles" (O Come, All Ye Faithful)
• "Silent Night" (La Notte Santa)

Way 4: Exchanging Gifts

Strega Nona loves to exchange gifts with her friends and family. She's always making something special for them, like a handmade candle or a batch of her famous cookies. She also loves to receive gifts, especially if they're handmade or come from the heart.

Traditional Italian Christmas Gift Ideas

Some of Strega Nona's favorite Christmas gift ideas include:

• Handmade candles or soaps
• Baked goods, like cookies or panettone
• Wine or limoncello
• Handmade crafts, like knitting or woodworking
• Personalized photo albums or frames

Way 5: Enjoying Quality Time with Loved Ones

For Strega Nona, the most important part of Christmas is spending quality time with her loved ones. She loves to invite her friends and family over for a festive feast, where they can share stories, laughter, and love. She also makes sure to take time for herself, enjoying quiet moments by the fire with a good book or a warm cup of tea.

Traditional Italian Christmas Dinner Ideas

Some of Strega Nona's favorite Christmas dinner ideas include:

• Lasagna or cannelloni
• Chicken or beef cacciatore
• Osso buco or braised short ribs
• Panettone or pandoro for dessert
• Coffee or limoncello to round out the meal

In conclusion, Strega Nona's Christmas celebrations are a true reflection of her Italian heritage and love for family, friends, and community. Whether she's cooking up a storm in the kitchen, decorating the house, singing Christmas carols, exchanging gifts, or enjoying quality time with loved ones, Strega Nona's Christmas is a time for joy, love, and magic.