And Sadly, It May Now Even Be Too Late . . .

This is frightening:

In many (perhaps most) public schools in America, Christmas break is now "winter break" Good Friday/Easter is now "Spring break" but Ramadan is Ramadan.

Mull that one over for awhile.

ONLY In Italy: The Mirth And Magic Of La Befana!

From our friends at Tutto Italiano:

In Italy, the holidays don’t truly end on December 25. They end when La Befana arrives.

On the night of January 5, she “flies” in for L’Epifania (January 6)—a folk figure who feels like part grandmother, part fairytale, part old-world winter magic. The most loved story says the Wise Men once stopped and asked her for directions on their way to the Christ child. She helped them, but didn’t join. Later, filled with regret, she set out to find them—and ever since, she travels from home to home, leaving gifts for children as she goes. Yes…she brings gifts. Just with a little more attitude than Babbo Natale.

She’s usually portrayed in a way that’s unmistakably Italian: practical, weathered, and warm. A layered skirt, patched clothes, a shawl, an apron, a headscarf, and a sack or basket over her shoulder—plus the signature broom, often said to be used to “sweep away” the old year’s dust. Sometimes she’s drawn a little soot-smudged, because she’s linked to chimneys in popular imagery.

In homes across Italy, children hang stockings (le calze), and La Befana fills them with sweets and small treats. The famous twist is that naughty kids get “coal”—but in the sweetest Italian way possible, it’s often carbone dolce, a black candy that looks like coal but tastes like sugar and mischief. It’s playful, not scary—La Befana is more “stern nonna with a soft heart” than anything dark.

And because Italy is Italy, the celebration is also delicious—especially in regional specialties. Here’s how Epiphany tastes in different corners of the country:

Veneto keeps it rustic and wintry, with homemade sweets that feel like they were born in a farmhouse kitchen. A classic Epiphany treat is pinza (or pinsa veneta)—a dense, comforting cake often made with cornmeal and dried fruit, served in slices with coffee or a little grappa energy. Tables also lean into winter staples: nuts, citrus, dried fruit, and whatever family dessert is “the one” every year.

Tuscany has one of the most perfectly named traditions: befanini—little Epiphany cookies, often simple and buttery, sometimes topped with colorful sprinkles. They’re the kind of sweet that looks humble but disappears fast, especially with espresso. In many homes, January 6 still feels like the last sweet day before the year gets serious again.

Lazio (Rome) celebrates in a very Roman way: lively, communal, and centered around the “closing of the season.” You’ll find stockings everywhere—in shops and markets—and families lean into classic holiday sweets still on the table: torrone, chocolate, nuts, citrus, and bakery treats that carry over from Christmas through Epiphany. The vibe is: one last indulgent moment before routine returns.

Sicily turns Epiphany into a miniature candy festival. Alongside the calze, Sicilian celebrations often feature pupi di zucchero—bright, ornate sugar figurines—and traditional sweets that feel ancient: sesame brittle (giuggiulena/cubbaita), marzipan-style treats, and the island’s beloved holiday cookies that linger through the season. It’s colorful, theatrical, and joyfully extra—very Sicily.

And then comes the line Italians say like a gentle sigh:

“L’Epifania tutte le feste porta via.”

Epiphany takes all the holidays away.

So if you’re still craving holiday magic, Italy is here to remind you: there’s one last night of tradition left—stockings, sweets, and a broom sweeping the season closed.

The Beloved Patina Of Christmas Through The Years!

 

As the years go by, Christmas memories appear like an old black-and-white movie -- or so it seems.

Anyway, it's once again Christmas, a joyous time of the year.
And I see dead people.

They are all around me and they are here to celebrate Christmas with me.

I turn on the TV and Jimmy Stewart is racing down Main Street in Bedford Falls hoping to escape the confines of a small town but knowing that he never will.
And Alastair Sim, the quintessential Scrooge, is grimacing in the classic version of everyone's favorite Christmas tale.
And I still see Judy Garland and Bing Crosby and Perry Como and Dinah Shore and Andy Williams singing Christmas songs. Judy's still full of pathos as she tenderly sings Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.
Jack Benny is here too and so is Lucy in a tender episode that ends with five Santas where there should be only one. One of the Santas just may be . . . could it really be?
And when I turn on the radio. I hear Christmas carols by Luciano Pavarotti and Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra and Mahalia Jackson and Mario Lanza.
On You Tube I watch President Reagan deliver a Christmas message from the White House. The President is warm and reassuring and he speaks confidently of faith in God and our Judeo-Christian heritage. 

And my mind tumbles back to the gritty, industrial city that I grew up in -- a riverfront city that didn't realize back then that its glory days were already behind it. It's a bleak, damp, gray December day but I'm warm and secure in the confines of my father's old Plymouth as we rush from place to place through narrow city streets marked by row houses and the occasional corner store.

We don't speak very much but I'm so happy to be with him. He's making lots of stops, picking up small treats and gifts from a variety of friends and businesspeople for whom he may have done odd jobs during the year. Whatever he manages to gather will help to make our Christmas a bit happier.

Even in the run up to Christmas, he's a tough negotiator. He barters with merchants and grocers. as he tries to select just the right provisions for our Christmas feast.
He maneuvers through and around streets, neighborhoods and landmarks with the swiftness of a true native.
His energy fills the room wherever he goes. He's not a big guy but he makes a huge impact. And I know that as long as I'm by his side, no harm can come to me.

On Christmas eve aunts, uncles, cousins and neighbors come and go as the all-night feast of the fishes drifts into the wee hours of Christmas day. The front door remains unlocked and all are welcome.
On Christmas morning the uncles begin their ritual home visitations, gathering more participants as they move from house to house. Demonstrative, boisterous and well-lubricated, they pass out silver dollars to the children. These will be accepted as treasured tokens and saved in a safe place.

Through it all I see my mother, full of wry wit, optimism and just the right perspective on the whole panoply. She's got a sharp eye and she's a great mimic as she jokes about people, places and personalities.
If you press her, she may even remember some of the people from her own earlier Christmases but she'd rather dwell in the present. She's very much about her own family, right here, right now.
Of course, now I understand why she took that approach.

As you get older, this is what happens.
Christmas isn't totally joyous. It isn't always candy canes and sugar plums.

Now, I'm the only one left from my immediate family of origin. My parents, my sister and my brother-in-law are all gone.

So many Christmas memories; so many Christmases past.
But Christmas in your heart means Christmas not just with your present-day family but also with those who have passed on, as loved ones never leave you since love is eternal.
So, while Christmas glows mightily in the eyes of your children and grandchildren, Christmas is also bittersweet.

Not to worry, though.
The memories are good. And the sights, sounds and glad tidings live within me.
Plus, at this time of year all of these people seem to come alive once again -- alive in a very special way. They are with me. They are part of me. And I treasure them even more as these memories are shared with present and newly arriving family members.

And I suppose that's one of the lessons of Christmas: Let all the people and the events and the memories of the Christmases past deepen and enrich your understanding of this wonderful holiday. Savor it all.
Bring them along with you. Let them walk by your side. Be strengthened by their presence and pass on what you know, who you are, how you feel, what you have learned.

And be proud, strong and tender -- especially for the children who watch you more closely now than at any other time of the year.

In that way, you'll keep the true spirit of Christmas.

This Christmas story has appeared (with slight modifications) every year since 2009 on the Dan Cirucci Blog as our gift to you.
Merry Christmas!

Sumptuous Secrets Of The Seven Fishes Feast

 

Tonight's the night -- the Night of the Seven Fishes! 

Yes, the Italian Feast of the Seven Fishes is traditionally served on Christmas Eve. In fact, the idea of the seven fishes has now become sort of legendary. 

And so strong is this tradition, that I can honestly say that in my lifetime (and we're talking many decades) I've never spent a Christmas Eve without a variety of fish dishes spread before me. Never! 

This is a hallowed custom that is passed from one generation to another. Where and how did it start? I've heard all kinds of stories trying to explain it, yet I'm not sure anyone really knows definitively. But I do think it's rooted in the Italian-American immigrant experience. It's something that Italian-Americans kept and expanded upon over the years. And, as they prospered, it came to be more elaborate.To begin with you must have at least seven fish selections on the table.

Why seven?

Well, seven is a very important number. It stands for the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church and the seven days of creation. In Biblical numerology, seven is a number of perfection.

And fish is the featured dish because Italians have customarily abstained from eating meat on Christmas Eve.  In fact,  for a long time the Catholic church prohibited the eating of meat the day before Christmas, This is the Christmas vigil. For my part, I still observe the "no meat on Christmas Eve" rule. I now do it in memory of my father who strictly followed this rule.

There is no set menu for this feast.
But here are some of the fishes that are traditionally used: calamari (squid); scungilli [skuhn-JEE-lee] (conch); baccala [bah-kah-LAH] (dry, salt cod); shrimp; clams (usually served with pasta); mussels, snapper, trout, tuna or salmon. I remember my father cleaning and preparing the various fishes (especially the baccala, calamari, smelts and scungilli) for hours.
We have adapted this menu over the years and updated it somewhat.

My father's recipes came from my grandparents who were Italian immigrants to this country, settling here at the turn of the last century. They came from the Marche and Molise regions of Italy: Ascoli Piceno and Campobasso. 

Our annual feast usually includes calamari, baccala, shrimp, crab, tuna, smelts and salmon. The cod and shrimp are served in both cold and fried (or sautéed) varieties. Shrimp is served as a shrimp cocktail and as shrimp scampi. Crab is served as both breaded and fried crab balls and fresh, cold crab claws. The baccala is served fried and in a salad. The calamari is served baked and stuffed. The tuna is served with spaghetti in a red sauce. The smelts are fried and the salmon is broiled. In addition to all of this, it is customary to serve fried cauliflower and Italian bitter greens, commonly known as e verdes. 

Our feast is usually preceded by cocktails (that's where the cold shrimp and crab come in) with much chatter and anticipation.

The Feast of the Seven Fishes takes up the entire evening -- usually beginning with the preliminaries at around 5 or 6 PM and often continuing into the wee hours of the morning. The bountiful array of food remains on the table for everyone to enjoy. Any guests who happen to arrive are also welcome to partake.

When he was alive, my father always prepared the bulk of the meal. He was an outstanding cook and accomplished "foodie" before there was such a term. His recipes were all in his head though, as I've noted,  the dishes were passed down from his parents. My mother, however, always insisted on preparing the crab balls. That was her special forté. My father loved a household full of relatives, friends and neighbors enjoying his culinary creations all night long. The busier and the louder it got, the more he liked it.

After my father passed on, my sister and brother-in-law took over the tradition and kept much of it intact while adding a few updates including shrimp scampi, cold crab claws, salmon and shrimp cocktail. Now that they are gone, the meal has largely become the domain of my niece along with her family and friends. Thank goodness, they are insistent on continuing this grand tradition -- something that goes back six generations of the family begun by Domenico Cirucci and Annunziata Santone Cirucci when they arrived here . We're talking more than 100 years, folks!

Desserts are not a mainstay of the feast. In fact, they are more of an afterthought. But, as more American elements have been introduced over the years, they have taken on their own prominence.

So, desserts now include an assortment of rich cakes, pies and cookies as well as cannoli and espresso.

Our feast is somewhat more casual than it was in years past but fine china, linens and glassware are still used on the table and when I say "casual" I mean business casual. So, this is definitely not a night for jeans or sweat suits or any kind of lounge or athletic gear. It's a night to look your best and add some glittery baubles to the jingle bells.

And since it's Italian, it's an evening of high drama. All emotions (and generations) are at play. So, it's grand opera one minute, a Broadway musical the next and then lots of rap, in no particular order. At any given moment several family members are competing for attention. 

The whole thing can become boisterous but there are also quiet and reflective moments as these dishes and this event evoke powerful memories that bring emotions to the surface. While it helps to have your wits about you as conversation ebbs and flows, there are also moments of pathos.

To survive the evening, you need to pace yourself.
It's fine (and expected) to eat more than you usually would -- even much more. But you must take your time. That's the Italian Way -- to savor every moment and engaging all your senses. 

It's best to taste a bit of everything, moving through the huge menu in a careful, measured manner. My favorites are the crab cakes, shrimp and tuna pasta. So, I have to be careful not to eat so much of those dishes lest I not have room for anything else. If you do not partake of a bit of everything you're liable to offend your host.

Like I said, for Italian families this ritual feast is sacrosanct and intense feeling abounds. Why? Because the meaning of the evening is all wrapped up with loved ones (including those who have passed on) and our most cherished values. Consequently, one must drink in moderation. In fact, if you feel an urge to lift your glass frequently make sure you're lifting a glass of water.
With all the fish on the table, you will need it.

BTW: For Italians, Christmas Day is not as much of a Big Deal as Christmas Eve. On Christmas Day lasagna and chicken cutlets are more than enough. That's what we call decompressing. 

Enjoy these photos from one of our recent feasts:

Icy old shrimp, usually part of the cocktail hour.

Crab balls -- large or small but firm and tempting.

The spaghetti with tuna in red sauce -- a longtime specialty!

The bitter Italian greens -- an acquired taste.

Salmon -- plenty for everybody!

Smelts, crab and fried cauliflower.

Cod and fried cauliflower.

Chocolates, miniature cupcakes, cookies, key lime pie and the tree. 

Our Very Favorite Christmas Music

Did someone say CHRISTMAS MUSIC?

When it comes to Christmas music we prefer pop sounds or what some might call "easy listening". Of course, we also like country music because country and Christmas just seem to be a perfect fit.

And yes, we do still collect and play CDs and like to listen to a whole album of music. But we also have special songs we like on each of our favorite collections. No contradiction there. It's just the way we like to roll, or spin. So, having admitted our preferences, here are some of our favorite Christmas music collections of all time listed ins no particular order:

Seth MacFarland's Holiday for Swing

MacFarland croons in an upbeat and updated style that proves intoxicating. Fun numbers include Snow (from White Christmas), Little Jack Frost Get Lost and Warm In December.

Alabama's Christmas (The Red Album)

This original collection of Christmas songs stands at the pinnacle of holiday collections and includes the haunting Santa Claus (I Still Believe In You), Thistlehair The Christmas Bear and Christmas In Dixie.

Louis Armstrong and Friends Christmas Collection

A compilation of numbers featuring the inimitable Louis and collected from various sources. We particularly like Christmas Night In Harlem, Christmas In New Orleans and Satchmo's distinctive interpretation of White Christmas. 

Loretta Lynn's White Christmas Blue

The late great queen of country music in a relatively recent collection (2016) that includes Lynn's original title song as well as her Country Christmas and To Heck With Ole Santa Claus. Great fun!

Michael Buble's Christmas

Another upbeat pop album full of Buble's interpretation of classics. Bublé is paired with some fine artists here and just about every song is first rate. When it domes to the Great American Songbook, it's hard to top this guy.

Elvis' Ultimate Christmas Collection

This two disc set contains 30 of Elvis' best including three bonus tracks. Some songs are duplicated as they feature Elvis in Christmas duets. Of course you'll find Blue Christmas in this collection as well as If Every Day Was Christmas and It Won't Seem Like Christmas (Without You). 

George Strait's Fresh Cut Christmas

King George with a Christmas album that exudes Texas charm and hospitality. It includes the captivating Up On A Housetop and Deck The Halls but omits a favorite of ours, Christmas Cookies. That one can be found on another collection.

Diana Ross' Wonderful Christmas Time

Two albums were brought together for this compilation which was released recently and includes the title song as well as Someday At Christmas and I Heard The Bells. Some non-Christmas gems have also been slipped in including Amazing Grace and His Eye Is On The Sparrow. These are two of our favorite spirituals any time of the year.

Alan Jackson's Honky Tonk Christmas

Only Alan Jackson could bring Christmas and Honky Tonk together and make the pairing seem smooth and sensible. You'll enjoy the title song as well as If We Make It Through December and Santa's Gonna Come In A Pickup Truck.

Brooks and Dunn's It Won't Be Christmas Without You

The supreme country duo with nearly a dozen songs including Hangin' 'Round The Mistletoe, Santa's Comin' Over To Your House and Who Says There Ain't No Santa. 

Clint Black's Looking For Christmas

Every song on this album is a Clint Black original and you're bound to enjoy the title number as well as The Kid, Christmas For Every Boy And Girl and Till Santa's Gone (Milk And Cookies). This collection is whimsical and delightful.

This Was A First In Television History!

The Great Gleason -- when Christmas was ubiquitous!

At the end of THE HONEYMOONERS Christmas episode, the cast surprised the audience by breaking character and wishing the viewers at home a Merry Christmas. (1955) 🎄 A first in television history. pic.twitter.com/GtlVyz5Vza

— Todd Spence (@Todd_Spence) December 23, 2025

25 Top Reasons To Love Christmas!

Caravaggio's Nativity.

Christmas endures, no matter what. 

And every year the real meaning of the day, the actual Christmas spirit, is right there the whole time if you slow down, take a deep breath and contemplate all that is good about the day and the season. . 

Christmas remains ours, not just because we need it but because it really is deeply meaningful. And right now, it seems to resonate more than ever. Still, we must all do our part to continue to refocus on Christmas and nurture this glorious celebration.

With that in mind, here are our 25 Top Reasons To Love Christmas:

1) The Nativity. Mary, Joseph and the Christ child. The true meaning of the day and the rightful center of our focus.

2) Fresh Christmas greens. Fragrant, vivid and constant, evergreens provide hope and help us look forward to the seasons ahead.

3) Christmas trees. Whether natural or not, they remain a link to the natural world that we enhance during the Christmas season.

4) Angels we have heard on high. To quote Chekov: "We shall find peace. We shall hear angels, we shall see the sky sparkling with diamonds."

5) Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" and all the other books and stories about Christmas.

6) Capra's "It's A Wonderful Life" and all the other classic Christmas movies that have become treasured traditions. 

7) Christmas lights. From the ones in your window or on your lawn to the department store spectacles, they all shine brightly and send a shimmering message of hope.

8) Snow. Or ant least the thought of snow. It's the one time of the year that many of us can tolerate the white stiff. And ooohhh, all those unique snowflakes! 

9) Silent Night and all the other Christmas carols as well as more modern, popular Christmas songs. 

10) Christmas around the world. Joyeux Noel. Feliz Navidad. Buon Natale. Mele Kalikimaka. God Jul. 

11) Christmas with our troops. Let's not forget them as they protect us while everyone else celebrates. 

12) Christmas Eve. A night for reflection and high anticipation. 

13) The march of the wooden soldiers and all those other wonderful Christmas toys. 

14) Jingle Bells. The sound of these festive bells is the sound of Christmas calling.

15) Christmas morning. The fulfillment of wonder. 

16) Christmas scents: Gingerbread, evergreens, panettone, roast turkey, sugar 'n spice. 

17) Mistletoe. Still a great excuse for kissing, IF you need one. 

18) The Italian Seven Fishes Feast. If you haven't enjoyed it, you haven't known Christmas Eve. 

19) Christmas cookies. The sweetest annual indulgence. 

20) Family. As much as we sometimes complain, we're grateful for all of them, right? 

21) Country Christmas. If you haven't been to Nashville or Branson at Christmas, well . . . . 

22) Silver Bells. Especially the ones that the Salvation Army rings. Have you given this year? 

23) Christmas excess. C'mon, it only happens once a year. 

24) Christmas candy. You can always start your diet on January 2. 

25) Christmas in your heart. Treasure it!

90 Years Old, With A Sweet Christmas Greeting!

Yes, Indeed: WE Say MERRY CHRISTMAS!

 

NYC Rock Center Tree Surrounded By Barriers

You can no longer get close to the Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Center in New York City for pictures

Barriers have been put up to keep people at a long distance

You used to be able to go right up to it for photos but times have changed. Demographics in America have changed pic.twitter.com/EP8sAwDwIF

— Wall Street Apes (@WallStreetApes) December 11, 2025

Philly: Remember Lit's Enchanted Colonial Village?

Christmas At The Greenbrier: Absolutely Magnificent!

We've just finished spending a few days at the legendary Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. The Greenbrier goes All Out for Christmas as these photos will attest. It's stellar. Each of the many stately public rooms in this extraordinary property outdoors the other. It's Christmas on a Grand Scale. And, get this: The Greenbrier even ordered up snow for us. It couldn't have been more picturesque!

Merry Christmas Everybody, From The Oval Office!

 

First Lady Visits Children's National Hospital

Today, First Lady Melania Trump continued the longstanding annual tradition of first ladies visiting the Children’s National Hospital during the Christmas season. Mrs. Trump spent time with young patients and their families to support the courageous children receiving care.

Mrs. Trump began her visit in the hospital’s atrium and continued on to the Hematology and Oncology Unit. She read How Does Santa Go Down the Chimney? to a small group of young patients and their families. Throughout her visit, Mrs. Trump spoke with patients, families, doctors, nurses, and administrative staff, offering words of encouragement during this special time of year.

Following her visit, the First Lady remarked, “Visiting Children’s National during the Christmas season is a tradition I cherish, and I am grateful for the opportunity to return again this year. Spending time with these brave children and their families is a reminder of the strength, hope, and love that define the holiday spirit. I want to thank the dedicated doctors, nurses, and staff at Children’s National for the exceptional care they provide during the holiday season and every day.”

Video: Watch Melania Light National Christmas Tree!

First Lady Melania Trump lights the National Christmas Tree! 🎄 pic.twitter.com/B3bel1hKYE

— FLOTUS Report (@MELANIAJTRUMP) December 4, 2025

The Beautiful Italian Christmas Calendar

 

Now, THIS Looks Like A Fun Event!

 

Christmas At The White House, 2025: Dazzling!

First Lady Melania Trump’s 2025 White House Christmas theme, Home Is Where The Heart Is, illuminates the heartfelt character of America within the People’s House. The First Lady’s creative inspiration is drawn from the joys, challenges, and frequent motion derived from motherhood and business. “The constant movement has taught me that home is not merely a physical space; rather, it is the warmth and comfort I carry within, regardless of my surroundings,” America’s First Lady reflects. “This Christmas, let’s celebrate the love we hold within ourselves, and share it with the world around us.  After all, wherever we are, we can create a home filled with grace, radiance, and endless possibilities.” Fostering the Future Red Room First Lady Melania Trump appointed renowned designer, Hervé Pierre, to oversee the implementation of her creative vision. Blue butterflies illuminate the “Fostering the Future Red Room,” a transformational experience dedicated to the foster-care community, a cause the First Lady has championed since 2021. The striking color combination coupled with the butterflies symbolic meaning of transformation and renewal capture the essence of Christmas. Mr. Pierre also created a limited-edition tour booklet—an artful keepsake that captures the magic of this year’s White House’s holiday theme for guests to treasure. Time-Honored Tradition Honoring tradition, 75 of Mrs. Trump’s signature wreaths with classic red bows adorn the White House windows, and more than 50 Christmas trees, 700 feet of garland, 25,000 feet of ribbon, and 10,000 butterflies fill the halls with holiday warmth. Gold Star Families In the Blue Room, the official White House Christmas Tree, an 18-foot concolor fir from Sidney, Michigan, commemorates Gold Star Families with gold stars and ornaments representing the official bird and flower of every U.S. state and territory—a tribute to the resilience, bravery, and sacrifice of our military personnel and their families. 250th Anniversary Patriotic exhibits featuring America's signature red, white, and blue accentuate the upcoming 250th anniversary of the Nation in the East Room, while two presidential portraits created from over 6,000 puzzle pieces are presented in the Green Room, offering families the chance to be challenged, have fun, and use their imagination together.   120 Pounds of Gingerbread The 2025 Gingerbread House is prominently displayed in the State Dining Room, highlighting the South Portico and offering a glimpse of the Yellow Oval Room—an artistic culinary triumph, boasting more than 120 pounds of gingerbread. The Grand Foyer features a section of the historic White House Crèche, which is currently undergoing meticulous restoration by the White House Curators. As Americans explore the historic rooms of the White House this holiday season, the 2025 Christmas decorations serve as a reminder that the strength of our Nation is found in its people—in our shared values, valued traditions, and the steadfast belief that home is where the heart is.

Official White House Photos: Andrea Hanks

Official White House Photos: Andrea Hanks