2. On Christmas Eve Portuguese families gather around the
Christmas tree and the Crèche to celebrate the birth of
Jesus. Catholicism is the main religion in Portugal.
3. Traditionally,
children are in
charge of
collecting
materials for
the Crèche.
Many
families only
display the
three main
figures, Infant
Jesus, Virgin
Mary and St.
Joseph.
4. Many families attend the Midnight Mass
(called "Missa do Galo"). After mass they
gather around the table and have supper
(called "Ceia de Natal"). On Christmas Eve,
supper (called "Consoada") consists of codfish
with boiled potatoes and cabbage.
5. After the meal, people eat
traditional fried desserts:
"filhoses or filhós" are
made of fried pumpkin
dough; "rabanadas" are
similar to french toast;
"azevias" are round cakes
made of a crust filled with
a mixture of chick peas,
sugar, and orange peel;
"aletria" is a vermicelli
sweet with eggs (typical of
Douro and Minho region).
6. Another traditional dessert is "Bolo Rei". This is
a fruitcake that is typically a New Years cake,
but is becoming popular during Christmas
Holidays. In the cake there are two surprises:
one is a little present like a fake ring, or a little
doll, or a medal. The other is not as welcomed.
There is a raw broad bean. Whoever gets this
bean has to buy the "Bolo Rei" in the coming
year. In addition to these desserts there are
many other that differ from region to region.
7. Some families will open the
presents (that are displayed
around the Christmas tree) on
Christmas Eve around
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.
8. On Christmas Day, the feast is known as
'Consoda', where extra places are set at the
table for the souls of the dead. It is believed
that gifting food to ancestor's souls will make
them bless the household with good fortune
for the coming year.
9. The Three Kings (not the Santa) then
leave gifts and treats for the children
in their shoes, which they usually find
in the morning and consist of candied
fruits and sweet breads.
