How to say Merry Christmas in Italian: A festive holiday guide

Castagne roasting on an open fire in a lively piazza, the steam of a cioccolata calda keeping your fingers and nose warm in the cold, and Italian holiday cheer. It’s time to explore Christmas and the holiday season in Italy.

In this article, you’ll find 60 ways to wish someone Happy Holidays in Italian, lots of Italian Christmas words, and practice writing some Italian holiday greetings. Also, you’ll learn the cultural significance of the 12 Days of Christmas (December 24th until January 6th), which are celebrated all throughout Italy. But ho, ho, ho! The fun doesn’t stop there. We’ll also discover:

• Five authentic Italian Holiday quotes
• Four ways to respond to Happy Holidays in Italian

• Three Italian Christmas Songs
• Two Italian Christmas desserts
• And La Befana waiting for us at the end of this article!

See what I did there?

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Andiamo!

How to wish someone a Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays in Italian

First things first: what are the magic holiday phrases? Well, they’re not that different from our English counterparts.

• Buon Natale! → Merry Christmas!
• Buone Feste! → Happy Holidays!

The difference between these two greetings is simple: Buone Feste includes general holiday festivities, whereas Buon Natale is specific to Christmas.

Although Italy is technically a secular country, it is strongly rooted in Roman Catholic traditions and holidays. Many feast days of the Catholic church are even national bank holidays. One in particular takes place on December 8th (The Feast of the Immaculate Conception), and unofficially marks the start of the Christmas season in Italy. From this date onwards, Christmas markets are likely to pop up in the piazze (city squares) of Italian cities, filled with stands selling castagne calde (roasted chestnuts) and cioccolata calda (hot chocolate).

Even with its strong ties to Catholicism, it’s not uncommon to see Italian holiday cards or celebrations for other observances, such as Hanukkah and Kwanzaa. In fact, the Italian Christmas seems to become more modern and commercialized each year.

Another thing to note about these holiday phrases is capitalization. Keep in mind that the holiday names should always be capitalized as well as the adjectives that accompany it. So, for example:

• Buon Natale! (Merry Christmas)
• Felice Natale! (Happy Christmas)
• Buon Anno! (Happy New Year)

Finally, it’s quite common to use exclamation points with these phrases!

Important dates to remember

So, what exactly is included in the 12 Days of Christmas? This table will let you know. In Italy, this two-week period is typically a time to visit with loved ones, friends, and family to enjoy the holiday spirit. Christmas markets are in full swing and public schools and offices are closed, meaning one thing: more time for everyone to grab some biscotti (cookies) and make pupazzi di neve (snowmen)!

Italian	English	Notes
La Vigilia di Natale	Christmas Eve (December 24)	While this isn’t technically a national bank holiday, many offices will either close early or have a staff party. In certain areas of Italy, La Vigilia di Natale is actually a bigger deal than Christmas Day!
Natale	Christmas Day (December 25)	National Holiday
Santo Stefano	Boxing Day (December 26)	National Holiday
San Silvestro	New Year’s Eve (December 31)	While this isn’t technically a national bank holiday, many offices will either close early or have a staff party.
Capodanno / Primo dell’anno	New Year’s Day (January 1)	National Holiday
L’Epifania	Epiphany (January 6)	National Holiday

All the ways to say Merry Christmas in Italian

Now that we’ve understood its cultural significance, let’s look at 31 ways to wish someone a Merry Christmas in Italian. These greetings could be used in person, over the telephone, through an email…the options are endless! Later on, we’ll walk through writing a Christmas card in Italian, so you can keep your favorites from this table in mind.

Italian	English	Pronunciation	IPA Pronunciation	Notes
Buon Natale!	Merry Christmas!	bwon nah-tah-leh	ˈbwɔn naˈtale ‖
Buona Vigilia di Natale!	Merry Christmas Eve!	bwona vee-geel-ya dee nah-tah-leh	ˈbwɔna viˈdʒilja di naˈtale ‖
Ti / Vi auguro un Buon Natale!	I wish you a Merry Christmas!	tee / vee ow-goo-roh oon bwon nah-tah-leh	ti | vi ˈau̯ɡuro um ˈbwɔn naˈtale ‖
Ti / Vi auguriamo un Buon Natale!	We wish you a Merry Christmas!	tee / vee ow-goo-ree-ah-mo oon bwon nah-tah-leh	ti | vi au̯ɡuˈrjamo um ˈbwɔn naˈtale ‖	Just like the song!
Ti / Vi auguro un Natale pieno di gioia!	I wish you a Christmas full of joy!	tee / vee ow-goo-roh oon nah-tah-leh pye-no dee joy-ah	ti | vi ˈau̯ɡuro un naˈtale ˈpjɛno di ˈdʒɔja ‖
Ti / Vi auguriamo un Natale pieno di gioia!	We wish you a Christmas full of joy!	tee / vee ow-goo-ree-ah-mo oon nah-tah-leh pye-no dee joy-ah	ti | vi au̯ɡuˈrjamo un naˈtale ˈpjɛno di ˈdʒɔja ‖
Ti / Vi auguro un Natale pieno di felicità e amore.	I wish you a Christmas full of happiness and love.	tee / vee ow-goo-roh oon nah-tah-leh pye-no dee feh-lee-chee-tah eh ah-more-eh	ti | vi ˈau̯ɡuro un naˈtale ˈpjɛno di felitʃiˈta ˈe aˈmore ‖
Che il Natale possa significare pace e amore. Buon Natale!	May this Christmas mean peace and love. Merry Christmas!	ke il nah-tah-leh pos-sa see-neef-ee-kah-reh pah-che eh ah-mo-reh. bwon nah-tah-leh	ˈke il naˈtale ˈpɔssa siɲɲifiˈkare ˈpatʃe ˈe aˈmore ‖ ˈbwɔn naˈtale ‖
Buon Natale, amore mio!	Merry Christmas, my love!	bwon nah-tah-leh, ah-more-eh mee-oh	ˈbwɔn naˈtale | aˈmore ˈmio ‖	For significant others and romantic partners
Buon Natale ai miei amici migliori!	Merry Christmast to my best friends!	bwon nah-tah-leh i mee-eh ah-me-chee me-lee-or-ee!	ˈbwɔn naˈtale ˈai̯ ˈmjɛi̯ aˈmitʃi miʎˈʎori ‖
Auguri di un Natale sereno!	Have a lovely Christmas!	ow-goo-ree dee oon nah-tah-leh se-reh-no	ˈau̯ɡuri di un naˈtale seˈreno ‖
Auguro a te e alla tua famiglia un Buon Natale!	I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas!	ow-goo-roh ah teh eh ah-la too-ah fa-meal-ya oon bwon nah-tah-leh	ˈau̯ɡuro a ˈtte ˈe alla ˈtua faˈmiʎʎa um ˈbwɔn naˈtale ‖
Auguro a te e ai tuoi cari tutta la magia del Natale!	I wish you and your loved ones all of the magic of Christmas!	ow-goo-roh ah te eh i two-oy cah-ree two-tah la ma-gee-ah del nah-tah-leh	ˈau̯ɡuro a ˈtte ˈe ˈai̯ ˈtwɔi̯ ˈkari ˈtutta la maˈdʒia ˈdel naˈtale ‖
Buon Natale a te che sei speciale.	Merry Christmas to you, my special friend.	bwon nah-tah-leh ah te ke say spe-chall-eh	ˈbwɔn naˈtale a ˈtte ˈke ˈssɛi̯ speˈtʃale ‖
Felice Santo Stefano!	Happy St. Stephen’s Day! / Happy Boxing Day!	feh-lee-che san-toe steph-ah-no	feˈlitʃe ˈsanto stefano ‖
Auguri! Sei stato/a scelto/a per trainare la slitta di Babbo Natale!	Congratulations! You’ve been selected to pull Santa’s sleigh!	ow-goo-ree! say stah-toe shell-toe per try-nah-reh la slee-tah dee Bah-bow Nah-tah-leh!	ˈau̯ɡuri ‖ ˈsɛi̯ statoa ʃeltoa ˈper trai̯ˈnare la ˈzlitta di ˈbabbo naˈtale ‖	Cute for kids!
Buon Natale! Non dimenticare di addobbare l’albero di Natale!	Merry Christmas! Don’t forget to decorate the Christmas tree!	bwon nah-tah-leh! non dee-men-tee-ka-reh dee ah-dob-bah-reh lal-beh-row dee nah-tah-leh	ˈbwɔn naˈtale ‖ ˈnon dimentiˈkare di addobˈbare lˈalbero di naˈtale ‖	Great for families
Buon Natale, amici / ragazzi!	Merry Christmas, guys!	bwon nah-tah-leh ah-me-chee / rah-gazz-ee	ˈbwɔn naˈtale | aˈmitʃi | raˈɡattsi ‖	Great for friends
Il mio desiderio più grande di Natale è che possiate essere felici e pieni di gioia!	My biggest Christmas wish is that you can be happy and full of joy!	Il mee-oh des-ee-deh-ree-oh pee-you gran-deh dee nah-tah-leh eh ke poss-ya-te ess-eh-re fell-ee-chee eh pyen-ee dee joy-ah	il ˈmio deziˈdɛrjo ˈpju ˈɡɡrande di naˈtale ˈɛ ˈkke ppossjate ˈɛssere feˈlitʃi ˈe ˈppjɛni di ˈdʒɔja ‖	For a group of people
La magia del Natale è infinita! Buon Natale e felice anno nuovo!	The magic of Christmas is neverending! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!	la mah-gee-ah del nah-tah-leh e een-fee-nee-tah! bwon nah-tah-leh e feh-lee-che ah-no noo-oh-vo!	la maˈdʒia ˈdel naˈtale ˈɛ infiˈnita ‖ ˈbwɔn naˈtale ˈe ffeˈlitʃe ˈanno ˈnwɔvo ‖
Buon Natale a un gruppo di colleghi fantastici!	Merry Christmas to a fantastic group of colleagues!	bwon nah-tah-leh ah un groo-poh dee koll-eh-ghee fan-tas-tee-chee!	ˈbwɔn naˈtale a un ˈɡruppo di kolˈleɡi fanˈtastitʃi ‖	For the office
Buon Natale ai suoceri migliori del mondo!	Merry Christmas to the best in-laws in the world!	bwon nah-tah-leh ay su-oh-chair-ee me-lee-or-ee del mon-doe!	ˈbwɔn naˈtale ˈai̯ ˈswɔtʃeri miʎˈʎori ˈdel ˈmondo ‖	For mother/father-in-laws
Che la pace di Natale ti accompagni sempre. Buon Natale!	May the peace of Christmas always be with you. Merry Christmas!	ke la pah-che dee nah-tah-leh tee ah-com-pan-yee sem-pre. bwon nah-tah-leh	ˈke lla ˈpatʃe di naˈtale ti akkomˈpaɲɲi ˈsɛmpre ‖ ˈbwɔn naˈtale ‖
Un gioioso e sereno Natale ai nostri migliori clienti. Buon Natale!	Wishing a joyful and calm Christmas to our best clients. Merry Christmas!	oon joy-oh-so eh se-reh-no nah-tah-leh ay nos-tree me-lee-or-ee kli-en-ti. bwon nah-tah-leh	un dʒoˈjozo ˈe sseˈreno naˈtale ˈai̯ ˈnɔstri miʎˈʎori kliˈɛnti ‖ ˈbwɔn naˈtale ‖	For clients/professionals
Tanti baci, abbracci, e Buon Natale!	Many kisses, hugs, and Merry Christmas!	tan-tee ah-brach-ee e bwon nah-tah-leh	ˈtanti ˈbatʃi | abˈbrattʃi | ˈe ˈbbwɔn naˈtale ‖	For close friends/family
Vi auguro speranza, felicità, e moltissimi dolcetti natalizi!	I wish you all hope, happiness, and a lot of Christmas treats!	vee ow-goo-row spe-ran-za, feh-lee-chee-tah, eh mole-tee-see-mee dole-che-tee nah-tah-leez-ee!	vi ˈau̯ɡuro speˈrantsa | felitʃiˈta | ˈe ˈmmoltissimi dolˈtʃetti nataˈlittsi ‖	For a group of close friends/children
Il Natale è magia. Buone Feste!	Christmas is magical. Happy Holidays!	il nah-tah-leh eh mah-gee-ah. bwon-eh fes-teh!	il naˈtale ˈɛ mmaˈdʒia ‖ ˈbuone ˈfɛste ‖
Possa la lista dei tuoi desideri diventare realtà. Buon Natale!	May all your Christmas wishes come true. Merry Christmas!	pos-sa la lee-stah day two-oy des-ee-deh-ree dee-ven-tah-reh reh-al-tah. bwon nah-tah-leh	ˈpɔssa la ˈlista ˈdei̯ ˈtwɔi̯ deˈzideri divenˈtare realˈta ‖ ˈbwɔn naˈtale ‖
La cosa più bella di Natale è poterlo passare con te.	The best thing about Christmas is that I can spend it with you.	la ko-sa pyew bell-lah dee nah-tah-leh eh po-ter-lo pass-ah-reh kon te	la ˈkɔza ˈpju ˈbbɛlla di naˈtale ˈɛ ppoˈterlo pasˈsare ˈkon ˈte ‖	For love interests
Babbo Natale è arrivato!	Santa Claus has arrived	bah-boh nah-tah-leh eh ah-ree-vah-toe	ˈbabbo naˈtale ˈɛ arriˈvato ‖	For kids…or anyone who’s young at heart!

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Italian Christmas songs

If you ask me, Christmas songs are one of the most magical parts of the holiday season! And luckily for me, the classic American Christmas tunes are just as popular in Italy. (Yes, I’m talking about Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You” and Jingle Bells) Even “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” is a popular song for end-of-the-year parties and school plays! This is just one way that Christmas in Italy has been influenced by American culture.

However, there are three classically Italian Christmas songs that you should know about. The themes of each are rooted in Catholicism, and they are quite popular all throughout Italy.

Tu scendi dalle stelle

This version is sung by Andrea Boccelli, who discusses the significance this song had while he was growing up. It’s an Italian song about the birth of Jesus Christ on Christmas Eve.

Astro del Ciel

As the Italian version of Silent Night, this song is often heard on Christmas Eve.

La Befana

This last song / poem is a classic with children all over Italy and reminds them that “La Befana” (a good “Christmas witch”) is coming to deliver gifts on the eve of January 6th. We’ll talk more about her at the end of this article!

How to say Happy Holidays in Italian

The following 16 messages are great ways to say Happy Holidays in Italian. They range from generic greetings to holiday-specific notes of joy. Take a look and remember your favorites!

Italian	English	Pronunciation	IPA Pronunciation	Notes
Buone Feste!	Happy Holidays!	bwo-neh fes-teh	ˈbuone ˈfɛste ‖
Felice Hanukkah!	Happy Hanukkah!	feh-lee-che han-uh-kah	feˈlitʃe anukka ‖
Felice Kwanzaa!	Happy Kwanzaa!	feh-lee-che kwan-zaa	feˈlitʃe kvantsaa ‖
Buone Feste alla tua famiglia.	Happy holidays to your family.	bwo-neh fes-teh ah-la too-ah fa-meal-ya	ˈbuone ˈfɛste alla ˈtua faˈmiʎʎa ‖
Tanti affettuosi auguri di Buone Feste a te e alla tua famiglia!	Many warm wishes of Happy Holidays to you and your family!	tan-tee ah-fet-tu-oh-see ow-goo-ree dee bwo-neh fes-teh ah te eh ah-la too-ah fa-meal-ya	ˈtanti affettuˈozi ˈau̯ɡuri di ˈbuone ˈfɛste a ˈtte ˈe alla ˈtua faˈmiʎʎa ‖
Passa delle Buone Feste!	Have a pleasant holiday season!	pass-sah deh-leh bwo-neh fes-teh	ˈpassa ˈdelle ˈbuone ˈfɛste ‖
Buon tutto e felice sempre!	Merry everything and always be happy!	bwon two-toe eh fel-ee-che sem-pre	ˈbwɔn ˈtutto ˈe ffeˈlitʃe ˈsɛmpre ‖	This one just about covers it all!
Godetevi questo periodo insieme!	Enjoy this time together!	go-deh-te-vee kwes-toe per-ee-oh-do een-sye-meh	ɡodetevi ˈkwesto peˈriodo inˈsjɛme ‖
Benvenuto inverno!	Welcome, winter!	ben-ven-oo-toe een-ver-no	benveˈnuto inˈvɛrno ‖
Lascia che l’atmosfera di questo periodo scaldi il tuo cuore. Buone Feste!	Let the atmosphere of the holidays warm your heart. Happy Holidays!	las-sha ke lat-mos-fer-rah dee kwes-toe per-ee-oh-doe skal-dee il two-oh koo-oh-reh. bwo-neh fes-teh	ˈlaʃʃa ˈke llatmosˈfɛra di ˈkwesto peˈriodo ˈskaldi il ˈtuo ˈkwɔre ‖ ˈbuone ˈfɛste ‖
Tanti calorosi auguri di Buone Feste!	Sending lots of warm holiday wishes!	tan-tee cal-oh-roe-see ow-goo-ree dee bwo-neh fes-teh	ˈtanti kaloˈrozi ˈau̯ɡuri di ˈbuone ˈfɛste ‖
Che la stagione riempia la vostra famiglia di gioia e amore!	May this season fill your family with joy and love!	ke la sta-joe-neh ree-em-pya la vos-tra fa-meal-ya dee joy-ah eh ah-mo-reh	ˈke lla staˈdʒone rjempja la ˈvɔstra faˈmiʎʎa di ˈdʒɔja ˈe aˈmore ‖
Vi auguro Buone Feste e un meraviglioso anno nuovo!	I wish you all Happy Holidays and a wonderful new year!	vee ow-goo-roh bwo-neh fes-teh eh oon mer-ah-veel-yo-so ahn-no noo-oh-vo	vi ˈau̯ɡuro ˈbuone ˈfɛste ˈe un meraviʎˈʎozo ˈanno ˈnwɔvo ‖
Abbiate un periodo di feste pieno di magia!	Have a great holiday period full of magic!	ah-bya-teh oon per-yo-do de fes-teh pye-no dee mah-gee-ah	abbjate um peˈriodo di ˈfɛste ˈpjɛno di maˈdʒia ‖
Con te la mia vita è sempre una festa. Grazie di esserci. Auguri!	With you, my life is always a party. Thanks for being there. Happy holidays!	kon teh la mee-ya vee-tah eh sem-pre oo-na fes-tah. Gra-zye dee ess-er-chee. ow-goo-ree	ˈkon ˈte la ˈmia ˈvita ˈɛ ˈssɛmpre ˈuna ˈfɛsta ‖ ˈɡrattsje di ˈɛssertʃi ‖ ˈau̯ɡuri ‖	Nice for a new relationship or romantic interest!
Nonostante siamo lontani, ricorda sempre che ti penso tanto in questo periodo di feste. Buone feste!	Even though we’re far away, always remember that I’m thinking of you in this holiday period. Happy holidays!	non-oh-stan-teh sya-mo lon-tan-ee, ree-cor-dah sem-pre ke tee pen-so tan-toe een kwes-toe per-ee-oh-do dee fes-teh. bwo-neh fes-teh	nonosˈtante ˈsjamo lonˈtani | riˈkɔrda ˈsɛmpre ˈke tti ˈpɛnso ˈtanto in ˈkwesto peˈriodo di ˈfɛste ‖ ˈbuone ˈfɛste ‖	Great for someone who lives far away.

If you’re wondering what to say when someone wishes you Happy Holidays in Italian, fear no more! Some nice ways to respond to any holiday greeting include:

Italian	English	Pronunciation	IPA Pronunciation	Notes
Anche a te!	You too!	an-ke ah te	ˈanke a ˈtte ‖	For informal situations
Anche a Lei!	You too!	an-ke ah lay	ˈanke a ˈllɛi̯ ‖	For formal situations
Anche a voi!	You too! (plural)	an-ke ah voy	ˈanke a ˈvvoi̯ ‖	For groups
Grazie! Altrettanto!	Thanks! You too!	gra-zye! al-tre-tan-toe	ˈɡrattsje ‖ altretˈtanto ‖	Neutral

How to write a memorable and perfectly-worded Happy Holidays or Happy Christmas message in Italian

Holiday cards are typically sold in tabaccherie (“tobacco shops” that sell many other things) starting from late November onwards. If you’d like to send a holiday card in Italy (or send one to friends and family who live there), here are some helpful tips to consider! PS - This article also has some great information about writing a letter or email in Italian.

We mentioned the first one at the beginning of this article: Remember that the holiday names should always be capitalized, as well as the adjectives that accompany it (e.g., Buon Natale).

Starting off

Alright, you’ve got your pen in hand (or your keyboard under your fingertips), and you’re ready to write your perfectly-worded holiday greeting in Italian! Choose your favorite option for starting out your message below:

Italian	English	Level of Formality
Carissimi,	Dearests (plural)	Informal
Caro/a,	Dear (singular)	Informal
Cari/e,	Dear (plural)	Informal
Carissimo fratello,	Dear brother	Informal
Carissima sorella,	Dear sister	Informal
Carissima famiglia,	Dear family	Informal
Cara mamma,	Dear mom	Informal
Caro papà,	Dear dad	Informal
Cari nonni,	Dear grandparents	Informal
Ciao ______,	Hello _______,	Informal / Neutral
A Marta e Simone	To Marta and Simone	Neutral
Gentile dott. Bersani,	Dear Dr. Bersani	Formal

Wonderful! Now, choose your favorite holiday greeting from above. If you’re looking for more inspiration, there will be some compiled messages and quotes below.

Signing off

Keep the level of formality in mind when signing off your message with one of the options below.

Italian	English	Level of Formality
Famiglia Bersani	Bersani Family	Neutral
Dalla Famiglia Bersani	From the Bersani Family	Neutral/Formal
Roberto	Robert (just a name)	Neutral / Informal
Saluti	Regards	Neutral/Formal
Cordialmente	Cordially	Formal
Con affetto	With love/affection	Informal/for close friends or family
Un abbraccio	Hug / Hugs	Informal/for close friends or family
Un grande abbraccio	A big hug	Informal/for close friends or family
Baci	Kisses	Informal/for close friends or family
Mille baci	Thousands of kisses	Informal/for close friends or family
Baci e abbracci	Hugs and kisses	Informal/for close friends or family

Some rules: Il Congiuntivo

Sometimes, holiday cards may already come with set phrases inside. You may notice that these phrases use the congiuntivo (subjunctive tense). The congiuntivo can take some time to master in Italian -- especially since Italian verb endings can change quite a bit when using it!

For the purposes of holiday cards, though, just be aware that some of the verb endings will follow the congiuntivo form. Why? Because sending a holiday card with well wishes is a type of hope or wish that you have for someone, which calls for the subjunctive tense. For instance:

• Che il Natale scaldi il tuo cuore! → May Christmas warm your heart!
• Spero che la felicità del Natale vi dia gioia e speranza! → I hope that the Christmas cheer gives you joy and hope!
• Buone Feste! Che possiate avere tutta la felicità del mondo! → Happy holidays! May you have all the happiness this world has to offer!

The “che” in these messages is a helpful sign that the congiuntivo should be used. In any case, don’t worry so much about the grammar. Just be aware that it exists in holiday greetings and well wishes.

Putting it all together: Formal situations

If you’re sending a holiday card to someone you have either a professional or somewhat unfamiliar relationship with, it’s always best to use the Lei form (the third person singular). Here are some messages you can use for these situations:

Auguriamo a Lei e a tutti i Suoi cari un Buon Natale e un anno nuovo ricco di serenità! - Famiglia Ricci

We wish you and all of your loved ones a Merry Christmas and a new year full of serenity! - The Ricci Family

Che possiate trascorrere questo periodo in serenità e salute. - Famiglia Ricci

May you spend this period in serenity and health. - The Ricci Family

Buone feste e grazie infinite! - Fincom SRL

Happy Holidays and many thanks! - Fincom SRL

Con profonda gratitudine, vorremmo ringraziarvi e augurarvi delle Buone Feste. Auguri! - Fincom SRL

With deep gratitude, we would like to thank you and wish you Happy Holidays. Cheers! - Fincom SRL

Putting it all together: Informal situations

These messages are more personal and are fantastic examples of sending warm wishes via text, card, or email.

Tanti affettuosi auguri di Buon Natale e Felice Anno Nuovo! - Carlo

Many warm wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! - Carlo

Un brindisi per le feste! - Carla e Bruno

A toast to the holidays! - Carla and Bruno

Dalla nostra famiglia alla vostra: vi auguriamo un Buon Natale e Felice Anno Nuovo!

From our family to yours: We wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Vi mandiamo tutto il nostro amore e i nostri auguri di Buone Feste! - Famiglia Ricci

We send you all our love and best wishes of Happy Holidays! - The Ricci Family

Useful Happy Holiday quotes in Italian

If you want to leave your holiday quote to an expert, here are five quotes from Italian authors, poets, actors, and comedians in Italian. These are lovely ways to say Happy Holidays in Italian. Beware: the last one might make you a bit hungry!

Italian	English	Author	Note
“A tutti voi auguro un Natale con pochi regali ma con tutti gli ideali realizzati.”	“I wish you all a Christmas with few gifts and all of your ideals/morals that have come to light.”	Alda Merini (writer and poet)
“Non ho che auguri da regalare: di auguri ne ho tanti prendete quelli che volete, prendeteli tutti quanti.”	“I have nothing but good wishes to give. I have many wishes. Take what you want…take them all.”	Gianni Rodari (writer)
“Natale altro non è che quest’immenso silenzio che dilaga per le strade, dove platani ciechi ridono con la neve.”	“Christmas is nothing but this immense silence that permeates the streets, where trees laugh with snow.”	Maria Luisa Spaziani (poet)
“Sotto l’albero di Natale al posto dei soliti regali mettici un bacio, un abbraccio e dell’amore. Dopo potrai dire che è un buon Natale.”	“Instead of the usual gifts under the Christmas tree, put a kiss, a hug, and some love. Then you can say it’s Christmas.”	Domenico Borgese (actor)
“Panettone o pandoro**? Questo è il problema. Se sia più nobile all’animo sopportar l’uvetta e i canditi o prender l’armi contro ‘sto mare di triboli e naufragar nel soffice zucchero a velo… Mangiare, dormire, nulla più.”	“Panettone or pandoro? That’s the question. Whether it is nobler for the soul to endure raisins and candied fruit or to take up arms against this sea and to be shipwrecked in the soft sugar icing…eat, sleep, nothing more.	Luciana Littizzetto (comedian)	This pokes fun at the heavy meals, panettone, and pandoro usually consumed during the holiday season.

**Wondering what Panettone and Pandoro are? You’ll find the answer at the end of this article!

Italian holiday and Christmas vocabulary

Before we wrap up this cozy Christmas article, here are 15 of the most common pieces of Italian holiday and Christmas vocabulary, along with their pronunciations.

Italian	English	Pronunciation	IPA Pronunciation
Babbo Natale	Santa Claus / Father Christmas	bah-boh nah-tah-leh	ˈbabbo naˈtale
La Befana	The Christmas witch	la bef-ah-na	la beˈfana
L’albero di Natale	Christmas tree	lah-ber-oh dee nah-tah-leh	lˈalbero di naˈtale
Il biglietto d’auguri / I biglietti d’auguri	Christmas cards	il bee-lyet-oh dee ow-goo-ree / ee bee-lyet-ee dee ow-goo-ree	il biʎˈʎetto dˈau̯ɡuri | i biʎˈʎetti dˈau̯ɡuri
Un brindisi	A drinking toast	oon brin-dee-see	um ˈbrindizi
La renna / le renne	Reindeer	la reh-na / leh reh-neh	la ˈrɛnna | ˈle ˈrɛnne
La slitta / le slitte	Sleigh / sleighs	la slee-tah / leh slee-teh	la ˈzlitta | ˈle ˈzlitte
Neve	Snow	neh-veh	ˈneve
Il pupazzo di neve / i pupazzi di neve	Snowman	il poo-pa-zoh dee neh-veh / ee poo-pa-zee dee ne-veh	il puˈpattso di ˈneve | i puˈpattsi di ˈneve
I mercatini di Natale	Christmas markets	ee mer-cah-tee-nee dee nah-tah-leh	i merkaˈtini di naˈtale
Il regalo / i regali	Gift / gifts	il reh-gah-low / ee reh-gah-lee	il reˈɡalo | i reˈɡali
I biscotti	Cookies	ee bees-cot-tee	i bisˈkɔtti
Le decorazioni	Decorations	le dek-or-ah-zyo-nee	ˈle dekoratˈtsjoni
La cioccolata calda	Hot chocolate	la choc-oh-lah-tah kal-da	la tʃokkoˈlata ˈkalda
Il calendario dell'avvento	Advent Calendar	il kal-en-dah-ryo del ah-ven-toe	il kalenˈdarjo dellavˈvɛnto

Celebrating the holidays and Christmas in Italian-speaking countries

Now that we’ve reviewed countless ways to wish someone Merry Christmas in Italian, there’s only one thing left to do: experience it! The holiday season in Italy is rich with culture, history, and (of course) food. If you plan on seeing it first-hand in Italy, here are some things to keep an eye out for:

Festa dei sette pesci / Feast of the Seven Fishes

Catholic Italians may head to midnight mass on Christmas Eve, but not until they’ve had a Christmas Eve dinner…usually one full of fish. This tradition stems from Southern Italy and has also made its way abroad, where it’s known as the “Feast of the Seven Fishes” celebrated by families with Italian roots.

In Italy, it’s not necessary to have seven different types of fish on your plate, but eating fish serves as a reminder of abstaining from meat the night before an important feast day (as dictated by past Catholic Church teachings). These days, eating fish on Christmas Eve is a cultural norm seen throughout most of Italy. Christmas Day meals, on the other hand, are usually reserved for specialties with meat and family favorites that vary by region.

And if you’re wondering what comes after all that fish and regional specialties…

Panettone e Pandoro

We can’t forget dessert! In late November, these two classic desserts start making their appearances in shops all over Italy. They’re both sweet breads, but they’re more different than they are alike. In fact, you’ll usually find that people strongly prefer one over the other. I, for one, am a proud supporter of the Pandoro team. (It literally means “pan d’oro → golden bread”!)

While one technical translation of Panettone is “fruitcake”, it’s not quite like the fruitcake in America. Instead, it’s a sweet bread with only nuts and dried fruits inside. In some regions of Italy, you’ll see it served with a heaping scoop of mascarpone cream. Pandoro, on the other hand, is a sweet bread without any nuts and dried fruits. It typically comes with powdered sugar that you can dust over it before diving in with your espresso. Delizioso!

Not only do these breads make great desserts (and breakfasts), but they’re nice gifts to bring to hosts of a holiday party or family.

And while you’re at a holiday party at your Italian friend’s house, you might see…

Il Presepe

The presepe (nativity scene) is perhaps the most traditional Italian symbol of Christmas. Even if Italy has adopted commercialized versions of Christmas and the holiday season, the presepe still remains popular.

Many homes, shops, churches, and piazze will have a presepe display during the holiday season. In fact, the most famous can be seen in the streets of Naples, where local artisans craft and sell their intricate presepe scenes on the spot. And if you journey further down to the region of Basilicata, you’ll be mesmerized by the “Sassi di Matera Living Nativity Scene”. This event is one of the most popular presepe events in all of Italy, where people create and act out six traditional Catholic scenes.

And last but not least, we have…

La Befana

Yeah, she’s dressed in rags and doesn’t exactly look friendly, but you shouldn’t worry; this Christmas witch isn’t scary! Italian folklore states that La Befana travels all throughout Italy on the night of January 5th to deliver gifts to good children…or coal to those who have misbehaved.

According to one popular Catholic legend, La Befana refused to help the Three Wise Men on their quest to visit Baby Jesus, because she had too many chores to finish. Once they left, however, she had a change of heart and decided to join them. Unfortunately, she couldn’t find them, and has since spent her time searching for them.

She’s even known as a happy helper who will sweep your floors before she leaves. Hmm - I don’t think Santa ever did that!

Can you feel the holiday spirit?

I hope that you’re feeling the (Italian) holiday spirit, especially since you’ve discovered 60 ways to wish someone Merry Christmas in Italian and more! The holiday party doesn’t have to stop here. Remember to check out our article on how to say “Happy New Year” in Italian and explore some more cultural components of your Italian language journey! Buone Feste!