The Befana comes at night, with her shoes all broken…

In Italian folklore, the Befana is an old lady who delivers gifts to children throughout Italy on the eve of the Epiphany (the night of January 5) in a similar manner to Santa Claus or the Three Wise Men; she is a figure linked to the Italian Christmas season.

In Christmas folklore, the Befana visits all the children of Italy on the eve of the Epiphany to fill their stockings with sweets, sweets, dried fruit and toys if they have behaved well. Otherwise, those who have behaved badly find their socks filled with charcoal or garlic. In many poorer parts of Italy a stick was placed in a sock instead of coal.

Being a good housekeeper, many say that she will sweep the floor before leaving.

For some, “sweeping away” means sweeping away the problems of the year. She is usually portrayed as a witch who flies on a broomstick wearing a black shawl and is covered in soot because she enters children’s homes through the chimney. She smiles often and carries a bag, sack, or basket filled with candy, gifts, or both.

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