| Christmas in Portugal
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You name it and Portugal has it. Home to 12 Natural Parks, 1 International Standard National Park, twelve of its locales featuring among the World Historical sites and as if that wasn’t enough, Portugal has some of the most dramatic scenic spots amidst the Bucaco forest, lined with waterfalls, lakes which makes it one of the most sought after holiday spots in Europe. You could also be a part of the Holy Week Festival if you drop
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in during the winter months You could trek Parque Natural da Peneda Geres national Park or stroll the hot spring village or simply canoe through the Caldo river If it sounds interesting to you, do come along to Portugal and celebrate a blasting Christmas in Portugal.
Christmas in Portugal has many things in common with its American counterpart but certain features, which are characteristic of the Portuguese tradition lends a unique touch to their celebrations. Gift giving constitutes an integral part of the festive season and though there are loads of controversies regarding who delivers the gifts at midnight and at what date, all one is bothered about are the jubilations and merry that accompany the holiday season. Since Portugal is predominantly a Catholic country, most of its rituals are in keeping with the Christian traditions. Though the origin and nature of the traditions are steeped in controversy the age-old traditions that have been handed down for ages runs thus.
The Christmas Feast of the Immaculate Conception and the Feast of the Holy Innocents are important parts of the holiday traditions and a nativity scene (Presépio) adorns the house o every Portuguese. A Christ Child figurine is added to the scene after the family attends Midnight Mass or after midnight and the family gathers around the ornately decorated Christmas tree and the consoada feast follows.
Children wait for Father Christmas (called "Pai Natal”) to arrive in eager anticipation that they would be flooded with gifts and thus place their shoes near the fireplace from the night before. Many a folks attend special midnight mass called "Missa do galo"-"Rooster’s Mass".
Dinner constitutes of the traditional foods like boiled codfish and Portuguese sprouts (in pure olive oil) rice pudding with cinamon, "rabandas", "filhoses", "broas de mel" (pastries made with honey) “Sonhos” -pumpkin fritters and to top it off the traditional desert "Bolo Rei" (King's cake). This is a special fruitcake decorated with fruits and pine nuts with little presents inside it and a broadbean. Whoever finds the broadbean pays for the next “King Cake”.
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