Editor’s note: Welcome to Inside Out, our weekly roundup of stories about Staten Islanders making waves, being seen, supporting our community and just making our borough a special place to live. Have a story for Inside Out? Email Carol Ann Benanti at benanti@siadvance.com.
Pasquale and Toni Ann Maffeo and their grandchildren, Michael DePrima, 8, and his sister, Marianna DePrima, 6, create a dazzling Christmas Village each year in the Maffeo’s New Springville home. (Courtesy/Maffeo family)(Courtesy/Maffeo family)
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Holiday traditions cherished during the sacred season of Christmas, always creates a sense of warmth and continuity — whether it’s baking a special type of sweet treat, decorating the tree, or simply sharing stories around a festive table.
Handed down from generation to generation, family customs rooted in culture and personal memories, exudes warmth and meaning, allows families to build lasting bonds, and connects kids to their heritage.
From the left, Marianna DePrima, 6, and her grandparents, Toni Ann and Pasquale Maffeo. (Courtesy/the Maffeo family)Staten Island Advance
Through shared memories and heartfelt gestures, Toni Ann and Pasquale Maffeo have created highly anticipated family customs during throughout the year — but especially during the Christmas season.
The Maffeos were married in 1978, and early on in their marriage Pasquale’s parents, Rose and Pasquale Maffeo, gifted the couple with the first three buildings of the “Department 56 Original Snow Village Series,” a timeless collectible that has several components.
The glazed ceramic collection consists of charming buildings like churches, shops and homes in lighted American-town style buildings.
A close up of the Maffeo Christmas Snow Village. (Courtesy/Maffeo family)Staten Island Advance
Originating in 1976 and becoming collectible when retired, collecting that series sparked purchasing other themed collections like Dickens’ Village, Christmas in the City, and North Pole, all part of the broader Department 56 family of holiday miniatures — each with unique styles and themes.
A Circus Funhouse is part of the Christmas Snow Village collection. (Courtesy/Maffeo family)Staten Island Advance
“My mother-in-law, Rose, began the tradition with us,” said Toni Ann Maffeo, who now collects the snow village which consists of a church, a house and children holding hands around a Christmas tree.
“And after that we were hooked,” she continued. “And I’ve been collecting one to two pieces a year since then and mixing in “Lemax Christmas Collectibles” — detailed miniature village pieces that include lighted building, figurines and accessories —which are perfect to build a magical Christmas world.
Sam’s Barber Shop is part of the extensive collection in the Christmas Village. (Courtesy/Maffeo family)Staten Island Advance
“And though we have Lemax Carnival fun pieces, sometimes I sneak in another,” said the New Springville resident.
“Our grandchildren Michael, 8 and Marianna, 6, DePrima are always in awe as each year passes and the collection grows larger and larger and as it took over my one side of my living room,” Toni Ann added.
A close up of the Maffeo family’s Christmas Snow Village. (Courtesy/Maffeo family)Staten Island Advance
She went on to explain that the kids really started to get involved by adding snow and sparkles and roads and accessories.
The Giant Wheel is incorporated into the Maffeo Christmas Village. (Courtesy/the Maffeo family)Staten Island Advance
“What joy to see their faces, year after year,” she gushed.
Maffeo says she especially has a love for her own cherished Nativity Set — that was really a surprise gift.
A Nativity Set handcrafted by individuals on the autism spectrum is part of the collection. (Courtesy/Maffeo family)Staten Island Advance
“I won the nativity set at a fundraiser at LiGreci’s Staaten 30 or more years ago, when I was a parishioner at St. Roch’s and I purchased a raffle ticket and won,” she recounted.
Maffeo notes that what’s extra special about is that kids who are on the autism spectrum handcrafted that set — which actually resembles Lenox china.
“Michael, our oldest grandchild who is 8 now, is really into it and has been fascinated ever since he was just a young child,” she continued. “We call him ‘Mr Christmas’ because he has the spirit. And this year Marianna, Michael’s 6 year-old sister, helped build the train tracks for our train. It takes about a week or so to put up. And they both really enjoy it.”
Michael DePrima, 8, and his sister Marianna DePrima, 6, bake holiday cookies. (Courtesy/the Maffeo family)Staten Island Advance
Maffeo reveals that her husband’s side of the family enjoys the family’s village every Christmas Eve when they visit and partake in the traditional seven fishes dinner, the Italian feast her in-laws hosted for a number of years until their passing.
And Toni Ann says that both she and her husband Pasquale have committed to hosting the Christmas Eve tradition in memory of them.
Marianna DePrima, 6, and her grandmother, Toni Ann Maffeo, hand craft holiday cookies. (Courtesy/the Maffeo family)Staten Island Advance
And because holiday traditions are so sacred to the Maffeo family, they never fail to bake those must-have Christmas cookies — and promise to keep that tradition alive as well.
CELEBRATIONS – DEC. 14 TO DEC. 20
DEC. 14
Sunday is birthday time for Terry D’Aquila, Dominick Caracciolo, Elizabeth Siegardt, Bill Goins and Aurora Faith Ruggiero who’s ow 8 years-old.
Happy wedding anniversary Sunday to Danielle and Keith Palladino, and to Jessie and John Lorentzen, who celebrate their 22nd.
DEC. 15
Birthday best on Monday to David Cavagnaro, Bob Beyar, Jennifer LaMantia, Janet McQuillan, Mark Halle, Amanda Bollini, and Anthony Mulholland.
Happy wedding anniversary Monday to Florence and Dominick Cosmai.
DEC. 16
The happiest of birthdays on Tuesday to Fred Cerullo, president and chief executive officer of the Grand Central Partnership, toTom Thompson, Richard Brewster, Victoria Payne, Paul DeStefano Jr., Frank Guido, Nicholas Bozza, Tanya Rose Tessoriero, Jill Gardner, Joe DeVito and Annie DelMaestro.
DEC. 17
Birthday greetings on Wednesday go to Carol Fusco, Frank Dillon, community leader and owner of Hanley Funeral Home, New Dorp, Celeste DeRoss, Katie Lee, Dan Colvin, Nick Guido, Andrea Brevetti Frank Bonansinga, R.J. Schnell, Dina Greenstein, Tony Lordo, Anthony Prevosti, Danielle Lauser, Pete Ferruli Sr. Mattea Curatola, Elvira Spatola and Ellen Brennan Hearn.
DEC. 18
Happy birthday Thursday to retired Justice Barbara Panepinto, who shares her birthday with Lauren Manna Paolillo, Rose Buono, Florence DeJohn, Devorah Helfrich, twins Allen and Arne Syvertsen along with Arne’s granddaughter, Ava Noel Larsen, Tiffany D’Aquila, Danielle Frascona, Chip Johnson, and Danielle Matoske.
DEC. 19
Happy birthday Friday to Joseph Sangimino, Michael Singer, Nicole Bianco, Jennifer Mazella, Sebastian Cassandra, Jennifer Seton, Jane Wnuk and to triplets Philip, Matthew and Sergio Antico.
Happy wedding anniversary on Friday to Cydia and Alan Fong.
DEC. 20
Celebrating birthdays on Saturday are Lorraine Silva, Liz Rowland, Debbie Ortiz, twins Paul and Nicholas DeStefano and Dan Cruz.
Happy wedding anniversary to Jane and Kevin Collins.