Xmas in Portugal 2012

eTwinning Project Xmas 2012

eTwinning project

Xmas 2012

Portuguese Team

eTwinning Project Xmas 2012

Christmas in Portugal On Christmas Eve Portuguese families gather around the Christmas tree and the Nativity to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Catholicism is the main religion in Portugal. Thus, the Nativity is a very important part of the celebration. While some families only display the three main figures, Infant Jesus, Virgin Mary and St. Joseph, others create larger scenes.

Live nativity in the North of Portugal (Priscos, Braga)

Most children write letters to Infant Jesus asking for presents rather than to Santa Claus.

Portuguese Team

eTwinning Project Xmas 2012

The traditional Christmas meal in Portugal is eaten during the evening of Christmas Eve. On Christmas Eve, supper (called "Consoada") consists of codfish with boiled eggs, potatoes and cabbage seasoned with olive oil.

After the meal, people eat traditional fried desserts: "filhoses or filh贸s" are made of fried pumpkin dough; "rabanadas" are made of slices of bread, milk, eggs, sugar and cinnamon; "azevias" are round cakes made of a crust filled with a mixture of chick peas, sugar, and orange peel; "aletria" is a sweet made of angel hair (a kind of thin spaghetti) with eggs (typical from the North region).

Portuguese Team

eTwinning Project Xmas 2012

The traditional Christmas cake is 'Bolo Rei' (which means 'King Cake') and is placed in the centre of the table. It is a dried fruit and nuts cake.

Many families attend the Midnight Mass (called "Missa do Galo"). After mass they gather around the table again.

In some regions of the country, carolers sing Christmas carols (called "Janeiras") in the streets but this is typical during January.

Some families will open the presents (that are displayed around the Christmas tree) on Christmas Eve at midnight. Others open them in the morning of the 25th, Christmas Day. Some families put one shoe ("sapatinho") of each child next to the chimney (since most of the kitchens in Portugal have one) or next to the fireplace instead of a stocking.

Portuguese Team

eTwinning Project Xmas 2012

On Christmas Day, people eat stuffed turkey for lunch and the traditional desserts.

During the holiday season towns are decorated with lights. The festivities end on 6th January, "Dia de Reis" (The Wise Men’s Day).

Portuguese Team