How do Portugese people celebrate Christmas ? Do they have a traditional time like English people or do they do something completely different ?

It would be nice to hear from biffa’s 1st, nosey parker and whoever on this one……but in my experience:
They have a tree with electric lights in the sitting room. The family gets together and give presents to each other, and they eat a massive meal of roast turkey!…….
Things they don’t do:
Sing carols, eat their turkey at a civilised hour (ie lunchtime) but at midnight, er…………

Well going by the things they have for sale in places like Mestre Maco they have Christmas trees with decorations and santa! They also seem to go in for nativity style 'decorations' too. Unless these items (the tinsel and santa) are aimed at the British or other foriegners?

Turkey?No we don't eat turkey that much we eat Bacalhau(cod) whish is more tradional and the meal is at night but not at midnight.Midnight is the time when we exchange gifts.In portugal christmas is a a religious party expect the churches to be full at midnight for the mass,don't expect lots of bars and clubs open altough some might do,also we don't have boxing day.Big celebrations will be during new year then is party time:-)

Wot, no houses decked out with santas and reindeers and lots and lots and lots of lights?

Good!

Ohhh, Christmas

Our Christmas is a mixture of Portuguese and English traditions, but it works out really well!

We ALWAYS have a tree and decorations and a nativity scene which this year will be amazing, I'll try and get Biffa to take a photo when it's done and post it here. I want to put lights on one of the trees on the hill in front of us but the rest of the family think I'm mad!!

My house is mad on Christmas Eve (ask Biffa) people just seem to drop in and stay for hours chatting and getting into the festive mood, drinking the festive spirit , I usually have some Bolo Rei, Azevias de batata doce (a pastry with a sweet potato filling, mmm), mince pies and fritos ( a sweet batter which you dip special shaped irons into and fry so the batter drops off as it is cooking, then sprincle with cinnamon and sugar),for them to snack on helps to soak up the drink.Ohh and mustn't forget the mulled wine

We spend Christmas with my in-laws,my sister-in-law and her children, which makes a total of 10. As for food, we have our main meal on Christmas Eve ( I't still doesn't feel right after all these years!) hardly ever Bacalhau. This year I think we'll do roast kid, potatoes, vegatables and salad, there'll probably be some type of seafood for a starter then all sorts of desserts. We don't eat at midnight, but start quite late so that by midnight we've all eaten and the present opening can start, it's a long day. During the night Santa visits my children, we leave a mince pie and some juice ( he doesn't like wine) just in case he's hungry. My boys have always wondered why Santa leaves presents for them, and who ever is staying, and never for their cousins who live next door. Maybe they're never good

Christmas Day is my favorite day I ALWAYS roast a turkey because I like it. I debone it and make a chestnut stuffing, it goes down well with the children too. There will probably be a joint of pork or possibly a large fish roasted in the oven, but Christmas Day is less stressfull so we'll decide about that when we come to it!!

Boxing day is just another day, everyone gets back to work, kids are still at home and the washing up is STILL waiting to be put away


I'd like to wish everyone I know AND everyone I don't know a very Happy Christmas, and this year if you know someone who's on their own, invite them round for dinner there's always enough for one more

Hmmmmmm nice post!

Must drop by - sounds good!!

you must be looking forward to it biffa
i think we all are

digger

1st Darling, I really liked your description of a "mixed christmas" it sounds like a wonderful family celebration. Merry Christmas to you and everyone in this forum.

1st Darling and Biffa, Sounds like you'll have another wonderful christmas. My hubby and I are coming over to CVO on tuesday to spend christmas. We could only get B&B at a little hotel so we're hoping there will be somewhere open to eat during the day. I've packed a pot noodle and some cheese straws in our luggage just in case. Merry Christmas x

The Azevias de batata doce sounds lovely. Could you give me an idea on the receipe?