Christmas in Italy - your christmas cards arrive

INSPIRATION

Your Christmas cards arrive!

“Maybe Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas… perhaps… means a little bit more.”

Dr Seuss

What started as a little idea one night whilst feeling homesick has traveled around the globe, then all the way back to a tiny home in the mountains of Northern Italy. Christmas in Italy has started with Christmas cards arriving from all over the world.

Our poor ‘Postino’ has been confused, entertained and laughing all at once. We met him on the road last week and he stopped us personally to hand over the latest bundle of Christmas cards.

We had to tell him the story and you can see by his beaming face that he didn’t mind all the extra trips up to our house.

Some of you sent little ornaments for the tree, one a letter sent for the first time, another sent us photos of her own family, a child’s drawing, a beautiful print of Venice which I’m going to frame, hand made ornaments, all contained a wealth of love and Christmas wishes.

Thank you all really from my heart, I have you all here with us for a White Christmas. Now I have the beginning of my Italian Christmas card collection to bring out each year, so you’ll be a part of our family for years to come.

This year has been the most low key Christmas I’ve ever had and I am feeling so peaceful and happy. It’s the 20th of December and as yet we have bought no presents, but we have felt the spirit of Christmas here in our valley.

A gentle Christmas, with carols sung in French by children in santa hats, powdered white snow on the mountains, a little bag of home made biscuits sent from our neighbor, ornaments made by our children on the tree, no hype, no bustle, no worry that I’ve forgotten someone…..just the warmth of our little family, loved ones far away, old friends and new, and the valley embracing us all.

So if I can send you a gift for Christmas I’ll send the Gift of Time, and hope you can take a moment to relax and really feel the spirit of Christmas.

Then be sure to pass it on……

Merry Christmas and Buon Natale
may all your dreams come true whatever they may be

xoxo

Save

and the gang x

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24 replies

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Des @ Vocational Courses says:
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Wow, this is too cute,. I love this all. Belated Merry Christmas to you and to your family. May God blessed you always. Keep posting.
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- Lisa Chiodo says:
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  And Merry Christmas to you also, I enjoyed your site and agree totally. I have been surprised and delighted with the cards arriving here in the mountains, a little thing by itself but it just made our Christmas xxx
  you keep posting as well xxxx
  ciao lisa
Marla says:
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Merriest of Christmases to the Chiodo family.. The seemingly ever present smiles on your children’s faces pretty much says it all. Seems to me you are in touch with the spirit of Christmas as intended, sharing ones self with those around you, fringing light into the dark corners of the winter. These really are the times you will remember many years down the road. We hope to maybe get over to visit you this week if we can find a time suitable for all of us. We look forward to seeing all of you again, and your “little restoration” project.
Tanti auguri! Marla & Fabrizio
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- Lisa Chiodo says:
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  Oh our kids are having the best time Marla and Carina is speaking Italian as if she’d lived here her whole life. This Christmas has been special and also very peaceful, no stress, and a simple celebration.
  
  It would be wonderful to see you and just let us know when suits you. We don’t have anything planned that I know about. We’d love to show you around and you can check out our little reno, private message me on fb with a time xx
Catherine says:
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Merry Italian Christmas Lisa! Our is also a quiet one, with my brother flying in from Sydney on Thursday so I am cleaning like crazy. I guess my card will be a New Year’s card! Keep warm and enjoy some brulé xxcat
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- Lisa Chiodo says:
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  Catherine it’s been really refreshing not to have to race about on Christmas day although I am missing my family terribly. Wonderful to see your brother, has he been to Italy before? I don’t mind a New Years card lol xxx sending love and hope to meet up in the New Year xxx
Kaye Bonato says:
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Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas, keep warm and snug in your beautiful little home……..thanks for sharing it all with us, it’s been very special to be along for the ride with you over the past year. xoxoxo Kaye & Michael Bonato
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- Lisa Chiodo says:
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  Oh thanks so much for that Kaye and it’s been so wonderful getting to know you. Both you and Michael are such a wonderful support and so encouraging. Can’t wait to see what the New Year brings and sending love and hugs from our little home in Italy to you both xxx
Anne says:
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Hi Lisa, How amazing , so wonderful to see that lots responded to you ,, 🙂 Yes your postino is so funny .. and made me laugh , he was really amused at your collection of post from around the world ♥ xoxo Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year.
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- Lisa Chiodo says:
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  He has been laughing at the thought of so many cards coming our way, people here are starting to discover the blog and I love to share our great community.
  Hope you have a wonderful Christmas and your card is here in our lounge reminding me of you xxx
jann says:
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Oh my gosh, Lisa. I laughed so hard at the picture of your surprised postino!!! Too cute! May you all have a very blessed Christmas and New Year. xxxxx
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- Lisa Chiodo says:
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  He’s a cracker isn’t he, such a friendly man and always gives us a wave. A real local character and was happy to pose for a photo x
  Have a wonderful Christmas Jann and love from all of us xxx
Linda says:
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Many of God’s blessings for Christmas and the coming year. Thanks for sharing your life with us. I can get lost in your blog and photos. You’ve introduced an area of Italy I was not familiar with. Another place to visit! Linda, Charlotte, NC
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- Lisa Chiodo says:
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  I do feel that sense of blessing this year, and peace that is so unusual for me at Christmas. I do really love our Piedmont and her people, Italy is such a diverse country and our region is as yet a little undiscovered which I like.
  Charlotte sounds nice, and yes come for a visit anytime xxx
  Buon Natale from the Chiodo famiglia
  x
Doug Porter says:
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The Happiest of Christmas wishes to la famiglia Chiodo!
D&J
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- Lisa Chiodo says:
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  and to you famiglia Porter xxx
  and a woof to the principessa xxx
Sandy Griffiths says:
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Hi Lisa, Sam, Carina & Luca,
Have been following for a few months now – love your work!! Was actually in Italy when you posted your address for xmas cards … now I can’t find it 🙁 Anyway, just want to wish you all a very merry Christmas, and a safe and happy new year.
I have been loving all of your photos – what a gorgeous family you have, and what a wonderful dream to fulfill. You all look so happy and healthy – obviously Italy agrees with you all.
Best wishes,
Sandy xo
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- Lisa Chiodo says:
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  Oh how funny that you were in Italy, I put the address on the post but a few people missed it so then I made it huge and on a photo lol x
  Thank you for your Christmas wishes and sending them to you. I wonder what the New Year will bring for us all. The dream is finally taking shape and feeling real, I’m thinking of the future in Italy in years now rather than weeks, planning for next year, and working on the health and lifestyle.
  It’s all good, Buon Natale and thanks for reading and saying ciao
  love Lisa xxx
Lyn Secombe says:
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Oh Lisa, Merriest of Christmas to you all as well. Carina and Luca are soooo happy opening all of the cards…….priceless !!! Looking forward to more adventures in the New Year. Much love from our family to your family. xxoooxoxoxoxo
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- Lisa Chiodo says:
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  Oh thanks Lyn and Buon Natale to you. Having this new collection of Christmas cards is so special to me, makes me feel a little less home sick and reminds me that we can renew traditions. I love the idea that these first year Italian Christmas cards will stay within my family hopefully for generations to come x
  Baci and a wonderful New Year to come xxx