La Befana - The Good Witch of Christmas

The holiday season has begun in Rome. It isn't the same over-the-top Christmas extravaganza that happens in the States, but there are plenty of pretty decorations and garlands going up to get us in the spirit. In one of the more famous piazzas - Piazza Navona - there is a carnivalesque market for toys and Christmas decorations. Featured prominently is La Befana, a scary witch that looks just like a Halloween decoration. I would have assumed from her role as the bringer of holiday gifts that she'd be cute and jolly like Santa, but actually she's pretty freaky...