Buona Befana 🧹🎁 Long before she became Italy’s Christmas witch, La Befana was already knocking about in the ancient world — a pagan figure tied to the end of the agricultural year, when fields went dormant, the old year died, and everyone crossed their fingers for a decent harvest next time round so they wouldn’t die. No drama here. Naturally, she flew. Naturally, she was female. Naturally, people were a bit afraid of her. When Christianity arrived, it didn’t so much erase this folklore as move in and rearrange the furniture. La Befana was folded neatly into Epiphany and the story of the Three Wise Men. Legend has it she refused to join them on their journey to meet the lil baby Jesus… had a rethink… and then spent the rest of eternity flying about handing out gifts to children — just in case one of them happened to be Jesus. Clearly her and I share anxiety issues. So don’t forget to leave out a lil panetonne and wine because our girl is going to NEED it. #LaBefana #ItalianFolkl...