FLORENCE: Tradition

When Bucci thinks about Childhood Christmases in Florence, the first thing that comes to mind is the smell of incense. “We always went to midnight mass in the church next to my parent’s house,” she says. Raised Catholic by an Italian father and Jewish mother from New York, the home during the holidays was a bustling hub, full of family and a flurry of activity as everyone rushed to finish their gifting list.

When Christmas Eve arrived, mass was celebrated while mom stayed home, making sure the finishing touches were put on the gifts and the meal for the next day. At home, holiday music floated through the air, with the sounds of classic crooners like Bing Crosby and Barry Manilow lending themselves to the lively seasonal spirit.

“We would wake up and the tree was overloaded with presents covering the whole floor. We all had our matching pajamas and hair ribbons.” A relaxed morning opening presents would be followed by a cozy lunch. “My mother is the most Christmassy Jew ever, the Jewish tradition was literally feeding people.” The Christmas day meal was always the same — her father’s beloved chicken liver paté followed by broth with tiny prosciutto filled tortellini, and finally beef wellington. “It was a blend of new things that we all love, like the beef wellington, and then old things as well.” The meal always ended with Bucci’s mom’s speciality: New York cheesecake. 

For those considering a Tuscan Christmas of their own, food also serves as an important tradition for visitors and locals alike. “Sostanza is one of my favorite restaurants for this time of the year. It’s tiny, you're basically in the kitchen. It hasn't changed in ages. The recipes are still the same.” There’s also a pastry shop called Rivoire, which is in the Piazza della Signoria, where the Palazzo Vecchio is, which is known for Florentine hot chocolate, a thick, custardy drink, and one that gets Bucci into the holiday spirit. 

For one last tradition: “My mother would always give all of us a pair of red underwear. Apparently you need to wear them on the first day of the year for good luck. I don't know if that's an Italian tradition or an American or she just made it up.”

LONDON: Celebration

London is the city that Bucci and her family now call home. As the end of the year creeps closer, suddenly the calendar is packed with celebrations, ‘tis the season to socialize. “The whole city is so festive, and the decorations are really beautiful, but we're still in go mode.” 

What makes London a particularly special place over the holiday season is how it blends old and new. “At the members' clubs like Oswald’s or 5 Hertford street, and throughout Mayfair, the decorations feel like they could be hundreds of years old, so rich and beautiful,” she says. “Every shopping street is fully decorated… every store.” While the hum of busy Christmas markets tend to stress Bucci out more than encourage holiday cheer, there is one must-do for the holidays. Ice skating, most notably at Somerset house. 

While Bucci’s family doesn’t spend Christmas itself in London, the city’s cheer and warm spirit are a dream in the weeks leading up to the big day. “It's in your bones, it's in your heart. It's everywhere. And it's magical.”  

NEW YORK: Peace

The New York Christmas that Bucci celebrates now with her family is one decidedly away from the electricity of the city. Over the holidays, everyone retreats to their home upstate, an escape in the middle of the snowy woods. “It’s about being together…. Just hanging out,“ she says. “It's the place where, for the four of us, our little family, we're most at home. We don't have any schedules, we don't have any things to do. We're just there to be together.” 

Bucci has brought some of her Florentine traditions with her, the chicken liver paté is now served alongside crab crostini, a favorite of her husband. But, the holidays have also born new traditions, too. “We always make New Year's resolutions. We sit down together, the four of us, and we write. I always get different cards in different themes and we write them down,” she says. “We start thinking about what our resolutions will be over Christmas, and then on New Year's Day, we sit down and have lunch together, and we put them on a board in our kitchen. They will stay there until we do our next one this year.