Tossicia’s Christmas Tree

Christmas Eve Menus (La Vigilia di Natale) at home & restaurants in Abruzzo do uphold the religious aspect of Christmas with the focus being fish, fish and more fish, likewise Italian culture consists of upholding ‘fare bella figura’ – keeping up appearances and making the right impression with dress, bearing and attitude. A small warning you’ll never succeed in the latter by partaking on in a traditional, shared La Vigilia di Natale fish supper!

Unless you really have a gargantuan love of eating what seems like 14 courses of fish, (7 courses of 2 fish types per course seemingly) to save face & embarrassment, I personally would try and avoid any invitations out with Italian friends to do the traditional thing! It is just impossible to not pull faces as the restaurant owner & your hosts as they bring out yet another take on the fried & roasted creature you felt you had only just finished 2 seconds before. You have been warned!

3 reasonable reasons for turning down kind fishy Christmas Eve invitations:

– Sorry, I am allergic to fried or roasted fish.

– I am helping out at the church.

– 7 is my unlucky number. (7 refers to the number of sacrements & virtues incidentally hence its religious importance!)

Useful Christmas Eve Vocab

Christmas Eve – La Vigilia di Natale

The 3 Kings – I Re Magi

Mary & Joeph – Maria e Giuseppe

The Shepherds – I pastori

The Donkey – L’asino

Baby Jesus – Gesù Bambino

Christmas Stocking – Calza di Natale

Christmas Tree – Albero di Natale

Christmas Present – Regalo di Natale

Bona Feste – Happy Christmas

Author: Roddy Newlands

Roddy Newlands is an Associate Member of Life In Abruzzo, as well as antique book dealer and web and graphic designer. Abruzzo allows him to get his mountain-air fix, & satisfy his passion for pasta & panettone.