Befana or "La Befana" is a friendly spirit in Italian folklore , similar to Santa Claus. Her name means 'giver of gifts', and she visits all the children in Italy on January 5 to fill their stockings with candy if they are good or a lump of coal if they are bad. The child's family will always leave a plate of broccoli and spice sausage plus a small glass of wine for Befana.

She is usually portrayed as an old lady, riding a broomstick through the air. Unlike a witch though, she is often smiling and she has a bag or a hamper filled with candy and/or gifts.