Christmas (Natale)

Christmas in Italy is a little more subtle then in America. They still have all of the decorations and everything, but they aren't as excited.  One of the good things about it though, was that we had an 18 day break!! For christmas Letizia came home, and we went to Vittoria to visit the grandparents.  We stayed there from the 24th to the 26th.  In Italy they celebrate everything on the night of the 24th, so thats when we opened our presents.  I had to dress up as Babbo Natale (Santa).  Its a good thing that he doesnt talk when handing out presents ;)  Then we played cards.  For ALL of the holidays here they play cards.  Also, there is a game called tombola, which pretty much every family plays.  Its similar to bingo, but usually you have to put in about 50 cents or something, and then the winner takes the money.  On the day of the 25th, we went to church in the morning, and besides that, we didnt really do anything special.  We stayed up that night to play cards as well, but not as late as the 24th.  Then on the 26th we went back to Misterbianco, and that was that.  For new years, usually, kids go out with their friends and go to a party or do what kids do.. But I had to stay home because our uncles and aunts were coming to visit and my dad wanted me to be there for that.  It was ok at the end..  School started back up today (The 10th) and everything went back to normal.  Tomorrow I am going to see a spanish play at the theater with my class.