Befana and Sinterklaas
Befana is an old woman who delivers presents to children on the night of January 5. Even though this is not Christmas, this is still a big part of the holiday season for children all over Italy! Much like Santa Clause knows if you are good or bad, Befana fills the socks of children with candy and presents if they are good, but also coal if they are bad. Unlike Santa, Befana uses a broom to get around to the houses all over Italy.
Sinterklaas is what Santa Claus is known as all over Europe. Because other countries have different languages Santa Claus is known by many different names. Sinterklass is another way of saying Sint Nicolaas, which is close to what we know Santa Claus as, St. Nick! It the weeks leading up to Christmas, specifically on December 5th, children leave their shoes by the stove, fireplace, or heater in hopes that Sinterklaas will visit and fill their shoes with presents and candy.