Hey, there! Today, I'm sharing some fun differences in traditions between these two countries.

Halloween: my annual heartbreak
In Canada: Halloween is religion. By July, you're planning your costume. By August, buying decorations. By September, the house is a horror set. Pumpkins? Huge. Candy? Tons. Costumes? True works of art. And the kids? Smiles knocking on every door in the neighborhood.

In Italy: Halloween? That "American party" that ends with buying a pumpkin at the supermarket. Every year I wander Italian supermarkets like a ghost looking for decent decorations. Result? Three lopsided pumpkins that look like orange zucchinis, two broken plastic spiders, and a vampire mask that's more funny than scary.

Italian kids trying to trick-or-treat end up in front of grandmas who say: "What are you doing, darlings? Here, take a candy… but next time, please don't ring the bell anymore, okay?"

Christmas: the magic that lights up Canadian winter
In Canada: Christmas starts November 1st. No joke. The day after Halloween, first Christmas lights appear. Houses shining, buildings decorated like masterpieces.

In Italy: the elegance in decorations, the artistic nativity scenes, that warm atmosphere that makes you feel like you're at grandma's house… truly special. But the Befana? How do I explain to my Canadian friends that on January 6th a witch comes on a broomstick? "Guys, forget Santa Claus, here we have a witch who brings coal!"

Easter: the sweet challenge
In Canada: Easter Bunny, egg hunts, chocolate everywhere. Simple, direct, effective. In Italy: Easter is a culinary event that takes weeks of preparation. The Italian Easter lunch is a gastronomic marathon that ends when someone calls an ambulance for indigestion.

On October 31st, I light a candle — the only Halloween decoration I can find — and look at pictures of my Canadian Halloweens with a lot of nostalgia.

The harsh truth
Here in Italy, I've learned to appreciate beautiful traditions, but Halloween? Every year I fall into a bit of a seasonal blues.
On October 31st, I light a candle (the only Halloween decoration I can find) and look at pictures of my Canadian Halloweens with a lot of nostalgia and melancholy.