The Florentine Christmas stump

As fireplaces disappeared from the houses, the florentine, and tuscan in general, tradition of the “Ceppo” (Christmas stump) has also gradually been lost. The elders called the day of Christmas and Santo Stefano "Ceppo" and "Ceppino", referring to this very tradition.

The Christmas stump had a profound meaning, of strength and vitality, as it was the base of a tree extracted from the ground with its roots. These were then cut out and the log blessed, smeared with wine or butter and finally lit by the head of the family on the night of the 24th, before mass. The stump had to burn all night long – it was watched over – and it could keep on burning even beyond S. Stefano.
In Florence, near the Loggia del Porcellino, there was even a log market, where before Christmas day, even families who lived in the city and did own land and trees to unearth, could get a stump to place in the chimney.

Over time, the Christmas stump began to change its appearance, assuming a pyramidal shape made of several logs put together in order to place the children's presents inside before it being turned on fire.
Before opening the gifts - which could be simple handmade toys or dried fruit or candied fruit in the poorest families - the children recited a prayer, the Ave Maria del Ceppo:

"Ave Maria del Ceppo,

Blessed angel!

The Angel answered me
My beautiful stump, bring me many things!"

That of the Christmas stump was a tradition that warmed the homes and hearts of people, uniting families in front of the hearth in winter.
It’s a pity that it has been lost, but inevitably, the fireplace plays a fundamental role in this Christmas ritual, and without it it’s not possible to carry on with it. However, we like to remember it so we can at least keep the memory alive.

Even without a stump to burn, we hope you can get together with your loved ones and have a happy Christmas!