202. Why Italian Christmas is Unlike Any Other
Author: Kimberly Holcombe
December 24, 2025
Duration: 32:53
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In this episode, Kimberly and Tommaso wish everyone a Buon Natale and a Happy New Year. They share their past Christmas experiences in Italy, highlighting the unique ways Italians celebrate the holiday season. The episode reflects on how these traditions bring people together and how a few of their friends are currently experiencing Italy for Christmas.
Key Points:
Tomaso’s Holiday Message and Shout-Out:
Tomaso extends sympathy to Australian listeners for a recent tragedy.
Tomaso also gives a shout-out to participants of the Sydney to Hobart sailing race on Boxing Day.
Christmas Eve Traditions:
Kimberly and Tommaso share their plans their Christmas Eve dinner with handmade fusilli, bresaola and fresh mozzarella.
They pair their meal with a special pesto from Geneva and a bottle of wine by a roaring fire.
Listener Reviews and Italian Phrases:
Tomaso thanks two listeners, Traveling Zia and Miller Sherry, for their reviews on Apple Podcasts.
Kimberly shares various ways to say “that’s very nice” in Italian.
Kimberly’s First Christmas in Italy:
Kimberly recounts her first Christmas in Italy driving from Milano to Sicilia in a 25-year-old Fiat Cinquecento.
She describes how Italians decorate their cities with lights strung across buildings, fostering a sense of connection.
She remembers seeing a huge Christmas tree made of hundreds of red poinsettias in Taormina.
An Expat Christmas Dinner in Milano:
Kimberly organized a Christmas dinner for expat friends and models stuck in Milano for the holidays.
Each person made a dish from their home country, creating a diverse and humorous meal.
A friendly Italian neighbor invited everyone to his Nonna’s apartment for traditional panettone and pandoro.
Christmas in Italy in 2024:
Kimberly and Tommaso describe their trip through Italy in December 2024, visiting Rome, Montepulciano, Cortona, Arezzo, Modena, Bergamo, Castelrotto, and Treviso.
They experienced outdoor festivals, concerts, flag throwers, and Christmas markets, emphasizing the community spirit.
Tomaso notes the non-commercial aspect of Italian Christmas celebrations, focusing on regional specialties.
Friends’ Christmas Trip to Italy:
Kimberly’s friends from Boston are currently traveling in Venice and Rome for Christmas.
They saw hundreds of gondoliers dressed as Santa Claus (Babbo Natale) on the Grand Canal.
Murano chandeliers light up Piazza San Marco, a skating rink in Campo San Polo, and artisan craft demonstrations on Murano and Burano.
Their friends will also experience Rome’s sights, including the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and the new Metro station that has artifacts like a museum.
A Look Ahead:
Kimberly and Tommaso thank listeners for their patience with bi-weekly episodes.
They promise to return to weekly episodes when they move to Italy, sharing their experiences of living there.
They end the episode wishing everyone a New Year filled with love, peace, pasta, tiramisu, and Brunello!
