Carla Gambescia is an award-winning author, lecturer, travel journalist and photographer who will discuss the fascinating history of our Christmas traditions. Get in the Christmas spirit early, as the DMA holiday party will be held on the same day as Carla’s presentation.
Have you ever wondered how some of our most cherished holiday traditions came to be? For example, where does the custom of giving presents originate, and why do we hang stockings by the chimney? Why do we decorate Christmas trees with candy canes and not candy rings? The ritual celebrations we hold closest to our heart have themselves been subject to considerable improvisation over the centuries.
Santa Claus has had a much longer historical journey with far more twists and turns than his annual one-night circumnavigation known to billions. The progenitor of today’s Santa was born in the eastern Mediterranean region — not in Europe — at the time of the Roman Empire. His legend evolved over the centuries as far away as northern Europe. But who was the ancestor of Santa? How did he evolve into the modern-persona of a rotund, jolly old fellow in a red suit who brings Christmas presents down a chimney to children? Variously known through history as Santa Claus, Sinter Klaus or Kris Cringle, you’ll be surprised to learn that he was originally St. Nicholas of Bari who was a bishop in what is today’s Turkey.
Carla spoke to the DMA in 2019 about her book La Dolce Vita University: An Unconventional Guide to Italian Culture from A to Z and then again in 2022 about Italian culture. She has written about and toured every region of Italy on foot or by bicycle and conceived and co-led the Giro del Gelato bicycle tour, which Outside magazine rated a Best Trip in Western Europe. For eight years, she owned and operated Via Vanti! Restaurant & Gelateria in Mount Kisco, which won plaudits for its innovative Italian cuisine, extraordinary gelato (named Best Gelato Shop in New York), and ongoing program of culinary and cultural events.
Arranged by Charles Salmans
Summary of Carla Gambescia’s Presentation
Carla Gambescia explored the surprising historical roots of Christmas traditions, weaving together religion, folklore, art and cultural evolution. She began not with the nativity, but with Santa Claus, tracing his origins to St. Nicholas, a 4th-century Greek bishop born in what is now Turkey. Nicholas became associated with Bari, Italy, after his relics were stolen and brought there in 1087. His reputation for generosity — especially the legend of secretly providing gold to save three impoverished daughters — laid the foundation for gift-giving traditions, stockings hung by the chimney and enduring symbols like the three gold balls often shown in his imagery.
Gift-giving originally took place on St. Nicholas Day (December 6), but during the Protestant Reformation, Martin Luther shifted the custom to December 25, refocusing Christmas on Jesus while keeping the popular tradition alive. Over time, St. Nicholas morphed into Santa Claus, whose modern image was shaped decisively by the 1823 New York poem A Visit from St. Nicholas and later amplified by Coca-Cola advertising in the 20th century. The candy cane mimics Nicholas’s Bishop’s staff.
Carla explained that December 25 was not Jesus’s actual birthday, but a date chosen in the 4th century to align Christianity with Roman pagan festivals such as Saturnalia and Sol Invictus, easing conversion through cultural blending. These festivals contributed traditions like candles, evergreens, feasting and public celebration.
She contrasted the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, noting that Matthew emphasized kings, prophecy and danger (the Magi, Herod and the flight into Egypt), while Luke presented a humbler story centered on Mary, shepherds and the manger. Modern nativity scenes blend both accounts.
A pivotal moment in Christmas tradition came in 1223, when St. Francis of Assisi created the first live nativity scene in Greccio, making the story accessible to ordinary people. This practice spread throughout Italy, especially Naples, which became famous for elaborate crèches filled with everyday figures alongside sacred ones.
Carla concluded by describing Italian customs surrounding Epiphany, including La Befana, festive foods, New Year’s rituals and symbols of renewal — highlighting how Christmas remains a living blend of faith, history and joyful human creativity.