December 8th is a national holiday in Italia and the official start of le feste Natalizie-the Christmas season. It is also the day most Italiani put up and decorate their Christmas tree, l’ albero di Natale.
The most well-known albero di Natale is probably the one in Rockefeller Plaza in New York. It is known around the world and visited by 125 million people each year. Usually, the tree is a giant Norway Spruce from upstate NY, sometimes it is even from Canada. The tree goes up on the Wednesday evening after American Thanksgiving* and is lit from 5 am to midnight until after the epiphany.
The tree may not go up on December 8th, but I recently found out that this famous tree tradition was started by Italian immigrant excavation workers. On December 24th 1931 work had just begun on the future site of Rockefeller Center. The first tree, a ‘small’ 6.1 m (20 ft) Balsam fir was brought to the site by Cesidio Perruzza. Originally from Frosinone, he was one of a group of Italian excavation workers who built a lot of Manhattan. They pooled their money to buy the tree, wanting to bring Christmas cheer and to be thankful for being employed during economic depression. The tree was decorated with paper garlands made by their families, gum wrappers, and the foil wrappers from blasting caps-since their job was blowing things up!
The photo from the Rockefeller Centre’s website shows workers lining up to collect their wages on Christmas Eve 1931 beside the tree.
By Christmas 1933, the job was completed and 30 Rockefeller Plaza opened. The first ‘official’ tree was lit in the plaza and it was made an annual tradition. It was a 15 m (50 ft) tree and according the Rockefeller Centre’s website, was intended as ‘a holiday beacon for New Yorkers and visitors alike’. The skating rink was added below the tree in 1936. This is how a group of Italian excavation workers with hope and Christmas spirit started a beloved tradition.
Perhaps this is common knowledge for Italian Americans? Did any of you know about this? Let me know in the comments.
*I specify American Thanksgiving because in Canada Thanksgiving is in October, the same time as American Columbus Day
Photos of 2023 Rockefeller Center Christmas tree taken last week by my cuginetto, paparazzo Luciano Pepe
Photos of Dec 24, 1931 from Rockefeller Center website
Buon Natale, Cristina
Un po' di pepe 
I love the fact that it was Italians who initiated this custom.
Me too Yvonne! Just wish it was t such a ‘secret’😎. Buon Natale, Cristina
Interesting post, pretty lights on the tree this year and Buon Natale!
Grazie Karen! I would like to see it in person some day. Buon Natale, Cristina
I love Rockefeller Center. I never knew anything about its history, though. So, thanks for this article.
Prego! I haven’t been, but it is on my ‘to do’ list! Buon Natale, Cristina
Ciao Cristina,
I really enjoyed reading about the history of the Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center! Had no idea. I Italiani hanno fatto tanti belli cosi! Grazie per questa storia. Carla
Si, che peccato che non è molto conosciuto questa storia! Buon Natale, Cristina
As an Italian-American and a New Yorker, I had no idea. How fascinating!
Wow Frank-I’m surprised and not surprised, if that makes any sense. It is too bad this isn’t a known thing. Spread the word! Buon Natale, Cristina