Santa Lucia
Yesterday was the holiday of Santa Lucia, the patron saint of children. The story of Santa Lucia goes like this. When Lucia was alive, she was tourtured because she wouldnt give up her faith. She was blinded with hot ashes and eventually killed. Then, because of her undying devotion to God, she was made a saint. Now every December 13, she brings presents to the children of Italia. On the night of the 12th, all of the children have to go to bed really early. During the night, Santa Lucia rides into the town on her donkey with lots of sweets and goodies. When she enters your house, the bells on her dress jingle. But it is said that if you open your eyes to see her, she will blind you with hot ash(kind of a scary thing to tell little kids.) Anyway, she leaves a trail of chocolates from your room to your presents. If you have been bad, she leaves only ash.
They also have a Santa Clause in Italy (aka Babbo Natale), but he is just a jolly old fat man who brings christmas joy.