In the far north of Italy, the bringer of gifts is St Nicholas, who comes on December the 6th, while children who have not been good may expect a visit from the dreaded Krampus (see page 54). In the south, children will wait until January the 5th for their presents, when the Befana comes flying by on her broomstick. But everywhere, the cult of Father Christmas is also recognised – though in Venice he is as likely to arrive in a gondola as on a sled.