Column: that's how my Italian Christmas was

Italy is known to everyone as a country of tradition. All small villages, but also large cities such as Florence were over-enthusiastic decorated with lights, Christmas branches and Christmas trees. One day before Christmas I visited Florence. I wanted to admire this great city in the Christmas spirit. It was the beginning of a wonderful Italian Christmas.

The shopping streets were decorated with lights and not just with a light hose. Beautiful spheres and stars gave this city light. At Piazza del Duomo there is a giant Christmas tree surrounded by tourists with cameras. Not a bauble in sight in this tree. The red lily as a symbol for the city says it all. You will be surrounded with beauty and the scents of all the Christmas goodies.

Shopping in the Christmas spirit

Then I made a short stop in Piazza della Repubblica. The carousel, which is there all year round, is also completely in the Christmas spirit. You can shop in the Christmas spirit in the beautiful department store La Rinascente. The building has an illuminated facade and the various decorated departments will get you in the Christmas mood, if you weren't already.

After that I enjoyed my coffee on the top floor of the department store. There is a terrace that offers a beautiful view of the illuminated city. What I found strange was the now gone Christmas market. Unfortunately, it turned out that it was only there until December 21.

I celebrated Christmas itself in the town of Montelupo Fiorentino. It was the first time together with my in-laws and I was curious how this would go.

At Christmas Eve (La Vigilia) there was dinner until about half past eleven in the morning. After an extensive meal, midnight mass was on the program. Nice to experience, but unfortunately, because I don't speak a word of Italian yet, difficult to understand.

christmas outfit

On Christmas Day we went after all the kisses, hugs and greeting-unwrapping presents under the tree. Not in pajamas, as I had imagined, but in our 'Christmas outfit'.

As Femke van Twuijver already indicated in her column you can also easily slide to the table in training pants. In the Netherlands I buy a special dress and dress up completely, but in the country of fashion where women almost sleep with heels on, this is not necessary…

We only drank an espresso, because at half past twelve we were going to eat with the whole family. In the Netherlands I am used to an extensive dinner, in Italy this is a Christmas lunch.

Fortunately, I was prepared for this and therefore skipped breakfast. I was nervous, I hadn't seen or spoken to many family members yet and during this afternoon I met – boom – 20! Fortunately, this wasn't too bad.

The family was very open and friendly, despite the limited English they speak. They made me feel at home and it wasn't uncomfortable at all.

They welcomed me with open arms and served me a huge amount of food. It started with antipasti and ended with sweet treats at 5 o'clock in the afternoon. I thought that lunch was a good idea. This way you don't go to bed with a full stomach and you can lower everything.

Unfortunately I flew back on Boxing Day, but then they must have a dinner of all leftovers.