Category Archives: Italian Celebrations

Benvenuto all’anno nuovo!

buonanno

December 31st marks La Festa di San Silvestro, followed by Il Capodanno the next day, and Italians have many ways to commemorate the New Year! Read on to learn about some of the most common ones:

Food. Of course, it wouldn’t be an Italian celebration without food! On New Year’s Eve, Italians tend to eat a big dinner, and many foods make an appearance due to their symbolic value. Lentils are popular as they symbolize financial luck for the upcoming year, pork cotechino (a type of sausage) or stuffed pig trotters symbolize general good fortune, and grapes ensures that those sitting at the table will be wise and frugal spenders of money. Some people eat dried fruit as a snack, and around midnight a popular regional cuisine is served along with Italian sparkling wines, either spumante or prosecco. Check out Academia Barilla’s site for a full Italian New Year’s Eve menu.

Activities. You won’t be bored on New Year’s Eve if you’re celebrating it Italian-style! A popular game played is Tombola, which is similar to bingo. There’s also public dancing and music and outdoor concerts to be found, and when midnight finally arrives, people enjoy plenty of fireworks . Some small towns also have bonfires. You better not get tired too early because parties can last until sunrise, as Italians enjoy staying up to see the first sunrise of the New Year. If you want to channel your inner Southern Italian, you can also throw all of your old stuff out the window, which represents your acceptance of the New Year!

And of course, don’t forget to wear something red for good luck (usually underwear)! Have a Happy New Year and tell us, do you take part in any Italian New Year’s Eve traditions?

Vocabolario

Buon anno nuovo! – Happy New Year!

Capodanno – New Year’s Eve

cenone di Capodanno – New Year’s Eve dinner

Tanti auguri per l’anno nuovo! Best wishes for the new year!

at 2:20 minutes hear our preschoolers singing “Arrivederci Amici” (Auld Lang Syne)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VL_1sZKlcu0&feature=c4-overview&list=UUCmj_RhwwaRiS0BoHAXjFgQ

Carnevale di Venezia!

Ciao, everyone!

Sorry it’s been so long since my last blog post! Long story short, I’ve been experiencing all sorts of technical problems, ultimately ending with my computer crashing, so I’m here in my school’s computer lab typing this up for you all right now.

But fear not! My computer has been shipped away to be fixed and should hopefully be back within a week. And now, if anyone ever needs computer help in Rome, I can direct you to a whole slew of stores that can help you out.

But let’s get on to the exciting stuff. Although a little delayed, I’m here to tell you about my first trip outside of Roma! And what better place to go than Carnevale di Venezia (the Carnival of Venice)?

My journey started at Roma Termini, the main train station in Rome. I was meeting up with some friends in Venice who were flying in, so I took un treno (a train) right from Rome to Venice. Clearly I’m a child of the technological age, as I was in slight awe when the departure board was not digital, instead using flaps to update i viaggiatori (the travelers) on when and where their trains were leaving from. Can you see the individual flaps?

We were all pretty eager to start exploring, so as soon as we were settled we got on our way. Venice is beautiful at night,

but it’s pretty exciting during the day too! Look at all those people!

We basically covered your typical Venice agenda (and for my friends who were coming from outside of Italy, the typical Italy agenda): we ate a lot of food and a TON of gelato,

walked around Piazza San Marco,

and looked at all the people dressed up in their Carnevale costumes.

And when we finally felt out of the Carnevale loop, we got some masks of our own! (That’s mine!)

And of course, we went for a gondola ride. I have to say, even though it was fun walking around and taking part in all of the Carnevale festivities, it was nice to take a break from the crowds and relax in the gondola. (That’s not actually us, but it was hard to get a good picture of our whole gondola while we were sitting in it.)


Riding along the canals…

On our final day in Venice, we took un vaporetto (a waterbus) to l’isola (the island) Murano, which is famous for making glass. We went into one of the factories and got to see how glassblowing works.

Some finished products!

Venice was pretty incredible and a great choice for my first trip outside of Rome. It’s nice to be back in the Eternal City, but I also can’t wait to see some more of Italy! Ciao for now!



We just couldn’t stop at 10…

Last week we posted our top 10 Italian Christmas picks, but afterwards, we realized 10 just weren’t enough, so here we are with round two! Take a look at 10 more spectacular items perfect for all your Italy-loving friends and family (and as usual, you can find all items on our store website!).

1. Ferrari Hot Wheels. Italy is known for producing sleek sports cars, and arguably one of the most well known manufacturers is Ferrari. We know that the real deal might be a little hard to afford, so for your auto-obsessed kids, why not give them a taste of the luxury vehicle with this Ferrari set from Mattel?

2. At-Home Wine Kit. Know somebody who has a fondness for wine? Instead of just drinking it, they can now make their own! Note: Stomping on grapes is not necessary 😉

3. Pizzelle Maker. Nope, it’s not a waffle maker. It’s a Piazzelle maker! Pizzelle are Italian waffle cookies, and we have to say, the snowflake design it produces is just too beautiful to resist!

4. Olivella Shampoo. Who doesn’t love olive oil? Keep your hair clean and fresh with this shampoo that takes advantage of extracts from our favorite oil.

5. Handmade Oil Bottle. And if you just so happen to have the real deal in your kitchen right now, why not store it in a beautiful handmade oil bottle straight out of Vicenza, Italy?

6. Italian Roast Espresso Coffee Beans. Sometimes it seems like you won’t be able to make it through the day without a cup of coffee, and isn’t it so much better when you can make a good cup at your house sof having to buy it on the run?

7. Espresso Maker. But wait a minute! You need an espresso maker to make your espresso! Don’t worry, we’ve got your back.

8. Taste of Italy Gift Basket. It doesn’t get much easier to give a bit of Italy to someone than with this “Taste of Italy” gift basket! Some of the contents include chocolate, olive oil, cookies, and pasta. Mmmm…

9. Italian Music. Giuseppe Verdi was an Italian composer mostly known for his operas. If you know someone who’s already a fan or is looking to get into opera music, this greatest hits CD could be right up their alley.

10. 2012 Italy Calendar. Don’t forget what day it is! Make it easy and invest in a calendar. The images of Italy will keep you inspired whenever you’ve got a case of the Mondays.

So there you have it! Ten more Italian-inspired Christmas gifts. Happy shopping and let us know if you have any further gift suggestions!

Our Top 10 Italian Christmas Picks!

Just like last year, we’ve compiled a list of some of our favorite gifts you can snag for your Italy-loving friends and family (or just as a treat for yourself!). And we’ve made it easy on you – you can find all of these products on our online store in the “Natale – Christmas” section, or you can just click on the heading link. And with our Cyber Monday discount lasting all week, now is the perfect time to start your Christmas shopping!


  1. Italian Travels. We all know the big sites to see in Italy: Rome, Florence, etc. Of course we love these places, but what about the smaller towns that are just as great but maybe not as well known? Help your loved one plan a trip to remember with one of the many travel books that are available. (Note: all images from store product listings)
  2. The Essentials. But what about the person who already has his or her trip to Italy planned or has decided to live in Italy for a while? Help them transition into Italian life with a book like Italian Survival Guide: The Language and Culture You Need to Travel with Confidence in Italy.
  3. Just for Fun. Books aren’t just for those traveling to Italy though. Delve into one of the many novels set in the country and feel like you’re along for the ride with the characters.
     
  4. Playtime. Whether you’re looking for something easy or more of a challenge, there’s a puzzle out there for you.
  5. Italian Music. You can listen to it on its own or play it as the soundtrack to your Italian-themed dinner party! Either way, you can’t go wrong with some good ol’ fashioned Italian music.
     
  6. Jewelry and Mementos. Jewelry is a classic option around the holidays, and a charm is a simple way to have a piece of Italy with you everyday.
  7. Baby Clothes. Too cute! You can never be too young to show off your Italian pride! Get your baby started with an appropriately themed onesie.
  8. Have Fun While Learning! Kids pick up languages so quickly, and now they can have fun at the same time!
  9. Care-free Cooking. You don’t have to be Italian to enjoy the food, and you don’t have to spend all day cooking to have a nice meal! Slow cooker recipes are perfect for people on the go who still want to enjoy the tastes of Italy when they come home.
  10. And what’s your pick? What Italian-themed gift are you planning on giving to someone this Christmas, or what would you love to receive? Leave a comment and let us know!

Buon Compleanno, Italia!

In 1861, Italy was unified into the country that we know and love today, meaning that Italy is officially 150 years old! Celebrations and festivals honoring the unification have been going on the entire year, but it’s never too late to celebrate! Therefore, we thought we’d honor the anniversary by providing you with some facts about the unification and Italy since then:
1. Although the 150th anniversary has been a year round celebration, the official date of Italy’s unification was March 17th.
2. Turin became the first capital of the unified Italy and remained capital for four years.
3. Before Italy was unified, it was mostly a collection of city-states under the control of various rulers.
4. Italy was established as a kingdom at the time of unification, with its first king being Vittorio Emanuele II.
5. Because Turin was the first capital, each significant anniversary (50th, 100th, 150th) has been celebrated there with different events and exhibitions.
6. Even though we all know Rome as the capital of Italy today, at the time of unification, Rome wasn’t even part of the country.
7. In fact, Rome didn’t become the capital for another 10 years, and in between Turin and Rome, Florence served as the capital.
8. The national anthem of the country is called “The Song of the Italians” (“Il Canto degli Italiani“), but it is also known as “Mameli’s Hymn” (“L’Inno di Mameli“) and “Brothers of Italy” (“Fratelli D’Italia“).
9. Goffredo Mameli wrote the lyrics of the anthem in 1847, but it wasn’t actually adopted as the country’s anthem for around another 100 years.
10. You can find the official website for Italy’s 150th unification here: http://eng.italia150.it/
So congratulations, Italy, and here’s to another 150 years!

Dolcetto o scherzetto? It’s Halloween!

Halloween is just around the corner, which means on October 31st kids all over the US will be dressing up and travelling door-to-door asking “trick or treat?!” (dolcetto o scherzetto?!). But what is Halloween like in Italy? Let’s find out!
Although it’s gaining in popularity, Halloween as it’s celebrated in the United States still doesn’t quite exist in Italy. Traditionally, All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day have had more of a presence.
All Saints’ Day (Ognissanti or Tutti i Santi) is celebrated on November 1st with All Souls’ Day (Il Giorno dei Morti or Tutti i Morti) following on the 2nd. Both holidays are about honoring and remembering the deceased, while All Saints’ Day is specifically meant to honor all saints and martyrs whereas A

Holiday History – Columbus Day!

Holiday History – Columbus Day!

We all celebrate it, but how much do you actually know about Christopher Columbus? If you have to brush up on your Columbus Day history, don’t worry. That’s what we’re here for!

First, the basics: Christopher Columbus’ name was not actually Christopher Columbus, which makes sense (he was Italian after all!). His actual name was Chrisoffa Corombo.

His brother, Bartholomew, was actually the one who came up with the idea to travel the ocean by ship, and although we know Columbus ships as the Nina, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria, their real names were the Nina, the Santa Clara, and the Gallega. Don’t worry though even though all of this may come as a surprise, we’re still pretty sure Columbus was actually on those ships 🙂

And like many people, Columbus was not actually famous while he lived, gaining his reputation as the man who discovered America posthumously. But people may even be surprised when they find out that even though people say he discovered America, he really accidentally ended up in the Bahamas (if only that could happen to all of us!) and never traveled to what we would consider the American mainland.

And even though I just said we all celebrate Columbus Day, that isn’t quite necessarily the case! Almost half (22) of states in the U.S. do not recognize the holiday, since they do not like crediting Columbus with the discovery of America, since there were indigenous people living on the continent beforehand. Some states have adapted the holiday to suit their own tastes, whether it’s by celebrating Discoverer’s Day in Hawaii or waiting until after Thanksgiving to celebrate Columbus Day to have a four day weekend in Tennessee (not a bad idea!).

So what about you? Do you celebrate Columbus Day? Do you have any other facts about Columbus you’d like to share? Let us know in the comments section!

A Carnevale ogni scherzo vale!

Buon carnevale a tutti!

carnevale
Carnevale La Fata
Ecco le feste pi allegre¦ Carnevale!!!

Carnevale is a huge winter festival celebrated in Italia with Carri di Carnevale, sfilate(parades), maschere, musica e feste. The children wear costumi(costumes) di carnevale and maschere (masks), they eat dolci Cenci and Fritelle (fried sweet pastry) They have lots of fun throwing coriandoli and stelle filanti at each other.

At La Piazza di Carolina we also celebrate Carnevale, we made marionette (puppets) with characters from La Commedia dell’Arte:

Colombina abitualmente non porta la maschera,indossa una cuffia e un vestito a strisce bianche e blu.

Arlecchino il servo sciocco, indossa un abito multicolore

colombina1Arlecchinopantalonepulcinella

Pantalone un vecchio mercante di venezia porta un pantalone molto stretti, una giacca rossa et un lingo capote nero

Pulcinella il servo napoletano porta un camiciotto bianco e un berreto a punta

La Fata Italiana (Simona Rodano) visited us during carnevale, her performance captivated the children’s attention with italian songs about carnevale e le maschere.

fata2

The festivities of carnevale precedes  La Pasqua (Easter) as a final party to Ash Wednesday and the restrictions of Lent.

carnevale_at_La_Piazza_di_Carolina carnevale_at_La_Piazza_di_Carolina2 carnevale_at_La_Piazza_di_Carolina3 Carnevale Fata Italiana

Bambini di Carnevale  Carnevale bambini1

How did you celebrate Carnevale?

Here is La Fata Italiana singing her Carnevale song

http://youtu.be/FRsCQCSiqRQ

La Pasqua (alla Piazza di Carolina)

buonapasqua1

Tanti auguri di Buona Pasqua e il detto sentito al nostro asilo in questa settimana. I bambini si preparano per la settimana santa che arriva la prossima settimana. Noi siamo chiusi and tanti vanno in vacanza, come uno che va nelle isole Cayman! Gli ho chiesto se mi poteva mettere nella sulla valigia. Please! Mi guardo incuriosito. Ah che meraviglia poter andare nei Caraibi! Posso solo dire che siamo andati in Florida lo scorso mese e faceva freddissimo!

Cosa vuol dire Pasqua per un prescolare? Spieghiamo loro che coincide con la primavera e che in primavera vediamo la vita nuova: i fiori, gli animaletti, e le uova.

Poi chiediamo loro, Quali animali nascono dall’uovo? E quali animali bevono il latte della mamma? Veramente non riescono a rispondere perche non lo sanno. E un teachable moment. I pulcini e gli anatroccoli sono uccelli e nascono dall’uovo, mentre gli agnellini e i coniglietti sono mammiferi e bevono il latte della mamma.

Abbiamo creato un attivita per complimentare questa lezione. Clicka qui.

Abbiamo anche colto loccasione di insegnare le forme ai bambini, in particolare lovale. Le uova sono un esempio perfetto.

La Pasqua e anche buona per fare dei craft con i bambini. Abbiamo passato la settimana creando cestini di Pasqua, coniglietti e pulcini. Poi li ho riempiti con cioccolatini e caramelle. It was a bit hit!

Clicka qui per dei craft di Pasqua per bambini.

Tanti auguri di Buona Pasqua is the phrase we are hearing most often around here these days. Everyone is getting ready for Easter which is coming up next week. We will be closed for the week and many of our children are going on vacation, like one who is off to the Cayman Islands! I asked him if he could stuff me in his suitcase and take me along. Please! He just looked at me funny. Oh how wonderful it would be to go to the Caribbean right about now. We got stuck with Florida last month when it was absolutely freezing!

What does Easter mean to a preschooler? We tell them that it coincides with spring and in spring time we see a lot of new life: the flowers start to bloom, baby animals are born and we tend to see a lot of eggs too.

Then we ask them which animals hatch from eggs and which drink their mother’s milk? Honestly they are not yet able to answer this so it becomes a teachable moment. Chicks and ducklings are birds and they hatch from eggs, while lambs and bunnies are mammals and drink milk from their mothers.

We have created an activity in Italian to accompany this lesson. Click here.

We also took the opportunity to do a lesson on shapes, in particular, the oval. Eggs are a perfect example.

Easter is also a wonderful time to do crafts with children. We spent the week making Easter baskets, little bunnies and chicks. Then we filled the baskets with chocolates and jelly beans. It was a bit hit!

Click here for some great Easter crafts for kids.

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Carnevale with La Fata Italiana!

fata2-150x150Saturday, February 6, 3PM

Join us for a meravigliosa celebration of Italy’s most colorful holiday. Our favorite Italian Fairy will entertain us with original Italian songs about Carnevale e le maschere.

Children will also have fun making their own masks, and eating Italian dolci.

Come in costume!