12 Days of Christmas for Italians

By Francesca Di Meglio

While we Americans are toiling at the office or wherever it is that we work during the holiday season, Italians are taking it easy. Most of them have off from Christmas Eve until the Epiphany on Jan. 6. Much of Europe celebrates the holiday through the "12 Days of Christmas." The song isn't just about some make-believe, fantasy world where the holidays lasts and lasts. With that in mind, I set out to write my own 12 days of Christmas for Italians.

There are a few other versions out there, but they either cater to Italian Americans (5 Uncle Vinnies and a bowl of parmesan cheese) or to the stereotypes associated with our people when they're outside of the homeland (12 Days of a Guido Christmas or the Good Fellas version). This one pays homage to real Italians in Italy but it's a little humorous, too. Here goes:

On the first day of Christmas my true amore gave to me
An espresso in Na-pol-iiiiii

On the second day of Christmas my true amore gave to me
2 Armani suits
And an espresso in Na-pol-iiiiii

On the third day of Christmas my true amore gave to me
3 Pizzaioli
2 Armani suits
And an espresso in Na-pol-iiiii

On the fourth day of Christmas my true amore gave to me
4 Latin lovers calling
3 Pizzaioli
2 Armani suits
And an espresso in Na-pol-iiiii

On the fifth day of Christmas my true amore gave to me
5 Calamari rings
4 Latin lovers calling
3 Pizzaioli
2 Armani suits
And an espresso in Na-pol-iiiii

On the sixth day of Christmas my true amore gave to me
6 Juventus players-a-scoring
5 Calamari rings
4 Latin lovers calling
3 Pizzaioli
2 Armani suits
And an espresso in Na-pol-iiiii

On the seventh day of Christmas my true amore gave to me
7 Wine makers-a-drinking
6 Juventus players-a-scoring
5 Calamari rings
4 Latin lovers calling
3 Pizzaioli
2 Armani suits
And an espresso in Na-pol-iiiii

On the eighth day of Christmas my true amore gave to me
8 Mammas-a-doing laundry
7 Wine makers-a-drinking
6 Juventus players-a-scoring
5 Calamari rings
4 Latin lovers calling
3 Pizzaioli
2 Armani suits
And an espresso in Na-pol-iiiii

On the ninth day of Christmas my true amore gave to me
9 Dancers of the Tarantella
8 Mammas-a-doing laundry
7 Wine makers-a-drinking
6 Juventus players-a-scoring
5 Calamari rings
4 Latin lovers calling
3 Pizzaioli
2 Armani suits
And an espresso in Na-pol-iiiii

On the tenth day of Christmas my true amore gave to me
10 Nonnas-a-“advising”
9 Dancers of the Tarantella
8 Mammas-a-doing laundry
7 Wine makers-a-drinking
6 Juventus players-a-scoring
5 Calamari rings
4 Latin lovers calling
3 Pizzaioli
2 Armani suits
And an espresso in Na-pol-iiiii

On the eleventh day of Christmas my true amore gave to me
11 Prosciuttos di Parma hanging
10 Nonnas-a-“advising”
9 Dancers of the Tarantella
8 Mammas-a-doing laundry
7 Wine makers-a-drinking
6 Juventus players-a-scoring
5 Calamari rings
4 Latin lovers calling
3 Pizzaioli
2 Armani suits
And an espresso in Na-pol-iiiii

On the twelfth day of Christmas my true amore gave to me
12 Ferrari engines revving
11 Prosciuttos di Parma hanging
10 Nonnas-a-“advising”
9 Dancers of the Tarantella
8 Mammas-a-doing laundry
7 Wine makers-a-drinking
6 Juventus players-a-scoring
5 Calamari rings
4 Latin lovers calling
3 Pizzaioli
2 Armani suits
And an espresso in Na-pol-iiiii

Di Meglio is the author of Fun with the Family New Jersey (Globe Pequot Press Travel, 2012) and you can follow her life and work at the Two Worlds Web site.