• Epiphany arriving for 6 out of 10 Italians, for the stocking of 68 euros
  • Befana arrives and brings the arctic frost: temperatures downhill, snow at low altitude

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January 06, 2020 The tradition of the sock is back, which has been emptied in almost half of the houses (47%) while at a minority of 13% the Befana brought other gifts and the rest did not celebrate also because it has no children. This is what emerges from a Coldiretti / Ixè elaboration for the Epiphany Festival.

The presence of chocolate, candies and sweet coal is inevitable in the stocking but the green turn and the push towards better nutrition also infects the Befana and in many families - Coldiretti underlines - figs and prunes, clementines, hazelnuts, walnuts and especially homemade cookies as per ancient tradition. Even if the appeal of tradition remains strong, Coldiretti points out, therefore, the content of the stockings "hung" on the fireplace by the nice old woman who in the past only gave the most "discoli" garlic, chilli, potatoes and real charcoal.

For many children - continues Coldiretti - the arrival of the Befana is also an opportunity to receive the latest party gifts with the arrival of games and toys, often also to heal the disappointments of Christmas. For some years, however - says Coldiretti - the appointment has also spread among adults who take advantage of the opportunity to exchange or make gifts, even symbolic ones, often taking advantage of the beginning of the sales season. One last festive occasion - explains Coldiretti - raises the value of the gifts purchased during the holidays at the end and at the beginning of the year to over 5.1 billion.

The arrival of the Epiphany also marks the return for 3.5 million Italians who have chosen to spend the Epiphany weekend on vacation with the long Epiphany weekend that favored holiday departures with the 48% who chose cities and places of art followed by the mountain pushed by snow with 38% while the rest was divided between spas, sea and countryside according to the Coldiretti / Ixè analysis. Thus ended the two most important weeks of the year for the consumption of Italians who spent on average for the holidays 549 euros per family destined in the order of 40% for gifts, for 28% for food, for 19% to travel and 11% to entertainment in museums, cinema, theater and concerts according to Coldiretti elaborations on Deloitte data. Total spending this year - Coldiretti concludes - is 1.5% higher than last year and places Italy on the podium in Europe of the top spenders for the holidays.

Police deliver gifts to children admitted to Gemelli
La Befana has arrived at the Gemelli Polyclinic in Rome. Policemen of the steering wheels, of the mobile department, of the postal and traffic police of Rome, delivered gifts and toys to the children hospitalized in the pediatric wards of the capital's hospital. It was a morning full of emotions and surprises for the little patients who met Milly Carlucci, Mara Venier, Maria de Filippi, Barbara D'Urso and Raffaella Carrà, masterfully imitated by Emanuela Aureli, spending a few hours between smiles and lightheartedness. Unpublished the participation of a policeman of the road who improvised as a magician and with his magic has enchanted the children who have also been awarded the sentinel's diploma on the web. The initiative, repeated in many Italian provinces, is part of the project that sees the women and men of the State Police close to those who need more attention and which is contained in the claim # lamiciziae'unacosaseria.

Befana also for children admitted to San Camillo
Today the Befana arrives in the two pediatric wards of the San Camillo hospital in Rome. At 2.30 pm a delegation of trade workers will "drive" the Befana among the young patients and toys, socks full of sweets and books will be distributed. "The initiative - in its third edition - stems from the sensitivity of the workers and has as its objective the smile of the young inpatients, but also wants to highlight the value of the holiday, the right of the sick and the importance of public health", declares Francesco Iacovone, of the National Cobas.