In Italy, the holiday celebrations do not end on Christmas Day. They continue through the Epiphany on January 6, which for many Italians has traditionally been a bigger and more important celebration than Christmas itself. The Epiphany marks the arrival of the Three Wise Men — and with it comes the tradition of La Befana.
According to legend, the Wise Men stopped at a small house to ask for directions while searching for the Christ Child. An old woman answered the door, broom in hand, but could not help them. They invited her to join them, but she declined because she had housework to do. Almost immediately, she regretted her decision. She gathered a few small gifts and went out searching for them, stopping every child she met in hopes that one might be the baby Jesus.
Tradition says she has been searching ever since.
Each year, on the night of January 5, children leave out stockings or shoes for La Befana to fill. She is said to travel from house to house, riding her broom, entering homes through the chimney or a keyhole if a home does not have one. She leaves cookies, candy, or other sweets for good children, while those who were not so good may find a symbolic piece of coal, a stick, or onions and garlic. In return, the children often leave out cookies and a glass of wine for La Befana.
In Italy, La Befana’s visit is followed by the Epiphany, which marks the end of the Christmas season.
