Celebrating Italian Traditions with "Merry Christmas Strega Nona"

Our amazing Host Nation teacher, Mrs. DiBella, shares  Merry Christmas, Strega Nona by Tomie dePaola—and many more stories—with Sigonella students as they learn about Italian Christmas traditions. Through these lessons, students explore the flavors, customs, and joyful spirit of the season, making cultural learning fun and exciting!

Merry Christmas, Strega Nona by Tomie dePaola takes readers to a cozy village in Calabria, Italy, where Strega Nona is getting ready for her special Christmas Eve feast.

What makes this book so fun? It’s all about delicious Italian dishes like baccalà (a tasty fish stew), roasted peppers, and sweet Christmas cookies. You’ll see how everyone in town comes together to make the feast happen—because Strega Nona has a rule: no magic at Christmas! That means Big Anthony has to figure things out the old-fashioned way, and that’s where the adventure begins.

Kids love the bright, cheerful pictures and the silly moments with Big Anthony. Along the way, you learn cool Italian words, discover traditional foods, and see how sharing a meal can bring a whole community together. It’s not just about eating—it’s about helping, caring, and celebrating with friends.

Fun Activities for Families

Parents and students can keep the learning going at home by:

• Exploring local markets to find traditional Italian holiday foods like panettone, torrone, and fresh seafood for the Feast of the Seven Fishes.
• Visiting nearby bakeries or cafés to taste authentic Christmas treats such as struffoli or cannoli.
• Discovering local Christmas events—look for holiday fairs, light displays, and nativity scenes that showcase Italian culture and festive traditions.
• Cooking together as a family—try making a simple Italian dish from the story, like roasted peppers or cookies, and talk about what makes these foods special.
• Checking out more Strega Nona books in the digital versions in MackinVia either in audiobook or E-book formats. 

These activities help families experience the joy of Italian traditions firsthand while creating lasting holiday memories together.