Befana other presents. In the book "Vestiges of Ancient Manners and Customs, Discoverable in Modern Italy and Sicily" (1823), John J. Blunt says: The tradition of Befana appears to incorporate other pre-Christian popular elements as well, adapted to Christian culture and related to the celebration of the New Year. Historian Carlo Ginzburg relates her to Nicevenn. The old lady character should then represent the "old year" just passed, ready to be burned in order to give place to the new one. In many European countries the tradition still exists of burning a puppet of an old lady at the beginning of
Family for Christmas She has lunch with Ben and tries to encourage him to finish the novel he started in college—but he has no regrets having chosen a career in advertising in order to support their family. That night the family helps out at the school preparing for the Christmas pageant. The following evening at the pageant, her children meet the same Santa Claus who assured Hannah about her Christmas wish. By chance, the Channel 8 news team cover the pageant, and when the lead reporter is injured in a minor accident, Hannah picks up the microphone and delivers an impressive report. The