The witch has been in the Italian tradition at least since the eighth century, as part of the Epiphany.
In Italy, the Epiphany marks the official end of the Christmas season, commemorating the day when the three Wise Men arrived at the manger bearing gifts. Every year, the occasion is celebrated with living nativity scenes, a great procession through the city center, and finally the arrival of La Befana.
According to the story, the four figures’ fates were intertwined when the Magi happened upon La Befana early on during their quest. She charitably hosted them for an evening in her humble but cozy cottage; the next morning, they invited her to accompany them to Bethlehem. Busy cleaning her home, La Befana declined at first – but then, after they carried on their way – she had second thoughts. She quickly filled a basket with gifts for the baby Jesus and set off alone. Although she followed the same star, she was unable to find the manger before the Wise Men did on January 6, the Epiphany.
Today, La Befana continues to travel the world on Epiphany Eve, searching every house for the child and leaving candies and chocolates for the good children – just coal for the bad – in her wake.
My parents budget was very limited, so we would often end up with a few candy and soap.
As I would grow up, wishing to have toys like my friends, I would go up in my attic the night before and take some of my old dolls and go hide them in different places of the house, so that the morning of the Befana I could be "surprised" to find those gifts.
As I got older the stocking tradition kept being a must; once I came to America, almost 20 years ago, I knew I wanted to keep this tradition for my future children.
So, every year, I would look for the best candy, and hide them until the night of the Befana, when I would stuff all the stockings for my kids to find in the morning.
Being blessed by a Nana that would give them plenty of toys for Christmas, I did not feel my kids needed more toys for the Befana, so I started adding the tradition of putting socks inside their stockings.
This new tradition has become part of our heritage, now every year with the candy, they get their socks.
My husband always loved to support me in keeping my Italian traditions.
He immediately made them his, and enjoyed his own stockings while watching our boys emptying theirs with bright eyes.
This year he won't be with us, at least not in his mortal body, but I still keep a stocking for him, because he will always be in our hearts and minds, and because I know he is watching over us.
