The image above is a photo taken by Irene Zampin of her 2025 presepio.
Over the years on the website, blogs at Christmas time have reflected traditions of families here in Australia and in Italy. Many of us recall the celebration of Christmas in our childhood days – the kinds of rituals that were practised in our families – religious meanings, decorations, foods and gift-giving.
In some families, Christmas rituals have been brought to Australia by the first generation of the Veneto market gardeners. And other groups of migrants have also transported their practices. Some people have created Christmas customs that their grandchildren and great-grandchildren now enjoy.
In this blog, you’ll read about two main traditions and some excerpts from some people who spoke about the meaning of Christmas in their families in their oral history interviews and that were used in previous blogs.
The nativity scene or presepio
Of course, the most common tradition is the presepio or the nativity scene. Some families create their cribs using figures and other items that have been collected by earlier generations.
Others make presepi with different themes and find materials to make their own unique settings. For example, Irene Zampin made her presepio this year and featured two locations, A sheik’s home in the desert and the nativity in Bethlehem. In Italy, the presepi are enjoyed in public spaces as well as in people’s homes.
The Christmas tree
The universal symbol of the Christmas tree is interpreted in different ways by families who maintain the tradition of ‘dressing’ the tree sometimes by three generations who enjoy the opportunity of using decorations collected for many years.
The Christmas tree is also a focus in public places. In a recent car trip to Victoria, a variety of Christmas trees featured different aspects and the star at the top created the symbol of light and hope.
Christmas celebrations – from oral history interviews and previous blogs
Creating the Christmas tree
Lina Campagnaro, 13th March 2014
Photo supplied by Lina Campagnaro nee Ballestrin.
I remember most vividly … the Christmas tree because we had a big — pine tree out the front on Valetta Road and Dad would go and yeah, cut off a branch and Mum would or Dad would put it in a bucket full of sand and Mum would dress it up either with material … and then because there were not a lot of decorations, she would put up some balloons … it was always made out of either balloons and lollies and the most important thing were cherries when you could find them then, those double-stemmed cherries where you can just hang [on your ears]. And that was just a tradition my Mum had, and I carry on with now.
Special food at Christmas
Food is special at Christmas and families have their particular traditions that have come from childhood. Milva Rebuli nee Zampin, interviewed on 27 March 2016, recalled Christmas lunches prepared by her mother who was born in Australia and her father who was born in the Veneto region – and shared with her siblings.
Peter is held by his father. Photo supplied by the Zampin family.
We always had a nice Christmas … had our Christmas lunch … but it was all Italian, it wasn’t Australian, no roast turkey, it was always something special, Italian style.
Generosity at Christmas
On 3 May 2020, Aida Innocente wrote a blog about her father, Angelo Innocente and his work manufacturing pine boxes for packing tomatoes and celery for market gardeners to sell their produce at market. She remembers that market gardeners organised their accounts before Christmas and brought gifts:
My Dad had clients from all over Italy and other parts of Europe. As a child I remember these clients – Calabrians, Neapolitans, Bulgarians, Slavs, Greeks – dropping in to our home before Christmas to settle their accounts. Dad always made sure he had plenty of beer on hand. His clients brought fresh produce as gifts. I now look upon these Christmas visits as a great symbol of the meaning of Christmas – peace and harmony to all men of all lands and faiths.
Veneto Club and Trevisani nel Mondo Christmas celebrations
Both the Veneto Club and the Trevisani nel Mondo in Adelaide have held celebrations for Christmas which have been enjoyed by their members over the years.
Looking back over the year
This year, two people who participated in the Veneto market gardeners’ oral history project have died. We remember Johnny Tormena (29/11/1927 – 6 April 2025) who was interviewed in 2012, and Roma Bordignon nee Zampin (19/06/1938 – 10/12/2025) whose interview was in 2017.
Blogs in 2025
It’s been wonderful to collaborate with people who have contributed family stories and photos for blogs. Thank you to people who have contributed to the blogs this year:
- Lina Campagnaro nee Ballestrin – 26 January
- Frank Rismondo – 9 March
- Christine Rebellato nee Mattiazzo (from 2021) – 6 April
- Amanda Rossetto – 4, 18 May
- Alex Bennett – 15 June
- Bertina and Diana Buratto – 29 June
- Deni Conci, Romano Rubichi – 12 October
- Maureen Griguol and daughters, Debra and Paula – 26 October
- Guido Cavallin and daughters, Lina and Ann – 9 November
- Piero Fioretti – 23 November
- Gianna Gallina nee Contarin – 7 December.
You can re-read any of these blogs if you put the name of the person into the search function on the landing page of the website.
Website management
Thank you to Michael Campbell who has managed the Veneto market gardeners’ website for 11 years. His constant background work has made the website accessible, viable and safe. I really appreciate his generosity and skills he has given over so many years.
Changes for 2026
Next year there will be some changes to the system of publishing the blogs. They will be produced monthly and there’ll be a different way of sending them out to subscribers. You’ll read more about this in January.
Wishes for the season
In a time marked by conflicts, fear and unrest across the world, I am sure that we all yearn for peace, hope and resolution.
I wish you all a happy festive season with opportunities to spend time with your loved ones and to make connections with relatives here and overseas.
Buon natale e buon anno!
Madeleine Regan
21 December 2025
Buon natale e Buon anno anche a te Madeleine e Alex