Santa Lucia

St. Lucy consecrated her virginity to God, refused to marry a pagan, and had her dowry distributed to the poor. Her would-be husband denounced her as a Christian to the governor of Syracuse. Miraculously unable to move her or burn her, the guards stabbed her and killed her. In medieval accounts, St. Lucy's eyes are gouged out prior to her execution. In art, her eyes sometimes appear on a plate that she's holding.

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In Italy, where my mum grew up, today is the day children get their Christmas presents! The children are told that St. Lucy comes in the night with lights and gifts; sweets, new knitted woollen socks, dolls and oranges etc!

Now-a-days many children Italy still get their main Christmas gifts on the feast of 'Santa Lucia', and may get a few other gifts on Christmas Day.

St. Lucy is also a really poplar Saint in Sweden.

She is also the patron saint of eyes and of the blind, and the patron of Sicily, where she was born.

You can read more about St. Lucy's Day here