La Befana

We are going to be starting a new tradition in the Mellor family called "La Befana". La Befana is celebrated on Epiphany, January 6. The legend of La Befana is that when the three kings were taking their gifts to Jesus they invited everyone in the towns they passed through to accompany them. They passed through one town where a woman lived. She was the best housekeeper in town and when they asked her to accompany them, she said she had a lot of housework to finish. Later, she had a change of heart, but it was too late. The kings had already left. The legend says that on the eve of January 6, she flies around on her old broom bringing gifts to children. The good children receive books and other small toys and the bad children receive garlic, onions, and coal. She puts the things in the children's socks, similar to St. Nicholas Day.

We bought a Befana. She is an old woman sitting in a rocking chair with her broomstick. This is a neat Italian tradition that we thought we should celebrate!

See you soon!
-Elizabeth