This is one of my favorite holiday traditions in Italy. On Christmas Eve, children set out their shoes for the female Santa Claus, La Befana, to fill with gifts of all kinda like toy's candies and fruit. If the children have been good all year long, their shoes are filled on Christmas morning. If the children have not been good ---- their shoes are filled with coal. La Befana is the best-know legend in Italy. She is usually portrayed as an old lady riding a broomstick and wearing a black shawl covered in soot because she enters the children's homes through the chimney. She is often smiling and carries a bag filled with candy and gifts. Here is little poem about La Befana.

La Befana vien di notte
Con le scarpe tutte rotte
Col vestito alla romana
Viva, Viva La Befana!