Italians again shop for low-key Xmas dinner

(22 Dec 2021) For the second year in a row, Italians are resigned to a low-key Christmas because of rising COVID-19 cases.
Against a long standing Italian tradition that dictates spending Christmas with family, and New Year’s Eve celebrating with friends, current restrictions forbid big family gatherings and impose limits to eating out at restaurants.
Before the pandemic, Italians used to organize huge Christmas dinners at home or dine out as a group, sitting at long tables in busy restaurants – and one way or the other spend a great amount on money.
But that wasn’t the case last year, and nor will it be this year.
COVID-19 has significantly changed people’s Christmas habits, according to Lorenzo Bazzana, economics expert at Italy’s National Farmers Confederation.
He said the number of people celebrating Christmas in restaurants would be half of the pre-pandemic number.
This year the atmosphere at Esquilino market hall in Rome, is restrained.
“People are broke”, said fishmonger Laura Patano.
Tarek Hossain, a butcher, said demand was down but he felt customers were willing to make an exception for Christmas, buying big turkeys, lamb and steaks.
Away from the dining table, tensions over COVID-19 vaccination status are adding to the concerns for many Italian families.
According to the National Farmers Confederation, 80% of Italians are unwilling to invite unvaccinated friends or relatives over for Christmas, amidst concerns over catching the virus.
Despite this, for Davide Medici, a student in Rome, seeing family at Christmas remains a priority.
While he says his grandmother refuses to be vaccinated, Medici has decided to cut down on his own socialising in order to see her safely for the holidays.

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