Christmas in Portugal- from Samora Correia

Christmas is undoubtedly one of the biggest celebrations of the Portuguese calendar. Currently, due to globalization, the Portuguese Christmas begins to be influenced by other cultures, especially by American films, one of the facts is the replacement of the Child Jesus by Father Christmas to deliver gifts. However, this does not mean that the Portuguese Christmas traditions have disappeared! On December 24, Christmas Eve, at night in certain parts of the country (especially in the north) takes place a Christmas dinner (called consoada), we serve cod, turkey or octopus, it depends on the region. Also at the end of supper, there is the midnight mass at midnight, although this mass is now falling into disuse. On the 25th, a banquet with meat several improved in some areas of the country in 25 days lunch is served the traditional “Roupa Velha” (old clothes), made from the remains of the supper of the day before. In some areas we burn the “Madeiro” (stump) of Christmas, particularly in churchyards, around which we sing traditional Portuguese songs.