For the country where la famiglia stands at the centre of culture and life, sometimes it feels that this holiday was created particularly for Italy. And let’s acknowledge: the roots of modern Christmas belong in here.
Sol Invictus ("Undefeated Sun") was the unofficial sun god of the later Roman Empire especially among soldiers. On 25 December AD 274, the Roman emperor Aurelian made it an official religion alongside the traditional Roman cults. The Feast of the Nativity of the Undefeated Sun, was declared to take place on December, 25th every year. At the time, things changed quite fast: just after 10 years his successor Diocletian split the empire in two, thus declating Milano the Capital of the Western Roman Empire.

Then, sometimes around AD 340, Christianism prevailed and the festivity was easily replaced all over the Empire with the Nativity of Jesus Christ, often identified as the Rising Sun That’s precisely why Christian churches’ most sacred parts, absyds, are traditionally oriented to East

The Presepe – another tradition many homes and parishes – is a visual representation of the Holy Family just after the birth of Jesus, taking shelter in a stable, and surrounded by the local poor sheperds community and some foreign VIP rich visitors (the Wise Men, or Magi – we will meet them in another article, because their story has to do with Milano.

After all, the festivity of Christmas recalls a peculiar family history.

The trade season of Christmas begins 8 days before Christmas day, on the 17th of December, and lasts until the Epiphany (also known as “Little Christmas”), on January 6th. So, it’s time to search for gifts already!

Christmas is not Christmas without gifts, is it? Since the most popular Christmas market in Milano  “Oh Bej Oh Bej”, attracting thousands of tourists every year, was suspended due to pandemic countermeasures, let’s dedicate more attention to the safe shopping.

For example, another famous annual fair in Milano, called Artigiano in Fiera, has moved completely online this year - check it on the web from November, 28th. The organisers will give customers a great opportunity to look at the artisans' products through textual, photographic and video stories, which will let you choose the best gift with a careful evaluation beforehand. Pick the cosiest wintery novel or a mindfulness guide for your friend, or leave them the choice with a gift card from €10 to €500 at La Feltrinelli bookstore.

Want to add some USA mood to your gift? American Bookstore will be a great option: find a wide range of books there - from eternal classics as "Atlas Shrugged" by Ayn Rand to various Marvel comics. Francesca V. gives a review on Foursquare: “Great assortment: should you not find what you're looking for, you can order it and will be notified once your item has arrived. You can find there calendars, toys, decorations as well”. Sounds like a perfect place for choosing a Christmas gift!

If the United Kingdom attracts you more, welcome to The British Box: combining tradition with innovation, the store offers you an authentic experience of leather goods, teas, perfumery and much more - all made in England. Flower White tea is a must-try (or must-give, going generous this Christmas!)

Still haven’t decided on the gift with Milano spirit? Then don’t despair, choose anything you like on globalized Amazon and complement your oh-so-creative gift with an Artesanal Original Panettone and voila, mission accomplished!

When it comes to initiatives presented by Municipality, Milano stands high on top amongst other European cities: project “Natale degli alberi” presented by different Sponsors, will spread the Christmas trees along all the city’s districts, making the one in piazza del Duomo sustainable!

It will contain the energy and diversity of the city represented of its 100 personalities.

The Christmas tree will be green in the day, as the tradition, and will be shining bright late in the night, with light and sound shows.

The lighting on the trees will be activated on December, 7th – the date when Milano celebrates the feast of its patron saint Sant’Ambrogio.

Let’s admit: Christmas won’t be the same this year. Lockdown has changed our Napoleonic plans to conquer the world, but it can’t change the way we feel about the most joyful winter holiday: maybe, delicious Italian panettone with Vin Brulè and Frank Sinatra on the background (or if you prefer Milanese artists: Malika Ayane, Enrico Ruggieri, Enzo Jannacci, Giorgio Gaber, Ornella Vanoni, Adriano Celentano but also Mahmood, Fedez and J-Ax) will become the sweet final essence of the year and fix all its imperfections.

Make it a December to remember in our beautiful Milano and Buon Natale!