Published: 19-10-2012, 07:40

Christmas in Italy: New Year

Christmas in Italy

Christmas in Italy: Christmas Markets

Christmas in Italy: Pre-Christmas Celebrations and Observances

Christmas in Italy: Nativity Scenes and Ceppos

Christmas in Italy: Christmas Eve

Christmas in Italy: Christmas Day

Christmas in Italy: Epiphany

Italian folklore teaches that the first person one encounters after midnight on New Year’s Eve determines one’s luck for the year to come (see also firstfooting). The luckiest person to encounter is a young, healthy man. Meeting a priest means you will attend a funeral, perhaps your own, whereas meeting a child means you may die young. If the first person you encounter is a woman, you will have bad luck in the coming year.

^