ROME – Even though the saying goes ‘Natale con i tuoi, Pasqua con chi vuoi’ or ‘Christmas with the family, Easter with whom you like,’ most Italians generally end up spending the Sunday celebrating the resurrection of Christ (and Spring) eating large and lavish meals together with their families.
This year, even more so said consumer groups.
 
Overturning the Spring break habit of taking a week off to go skiing or on a family holiday, day trips to local art cities or religious sites or to visit friends or family saw a boom this year as Italians look to cut back on overnight stays. Indeed traditional holidays saw a 20% drop and restaurant meals fell by 3%, Coldiretti said.
 
At the end, over 70% of Italians remained at home this Easter as the economic crisis, as well as cold and wet weather continues to bite.
And among those who were still planning to get away, about 17% were intending to do nothing more than go for the traditional Monday picnic, the farmer’s association Coldiretti said.
 
Only 12% were headed for the seaside and about 8% were going to the mountains.
Even for those who spent the holiday at home, tables were lighter, as well. The traditional ‘piece de resistance’ of the meal that can last for hours, roast suckling lamb, was missing from many tables.
There was 5% less meat served, specifically 10% less lamb, consumer group Fiesa said on Friday. For some, like animal rights group Nemesi Animale, that is good news.
 
Another tradition that lands on tables for Easter is a national favorite, the Colomba – a golden cake made with almond and vanilla, with crackling sugar baked on top and shaped like a dove.
However, Colomba purchases have also dropped – 7% according to Fiesa.
 
The consumer group laments that even wine will flow a little slower, with Italian families consuming an estimated 3% less.
 
Even the beloved chocolate eggs that show up in children’s bags and baskets were fewer and farther between. According to Coldiretti, 12% fewer kids and adults munched down on their milk or dark chocolate treats compared to last year.

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