Holidays in Portugal

I read an aritcle about portuguese holidays at this website http://www.californiamall.com/holidaytraditions/traditions-Portugal.htm and it was about what happens on christmas day! This article said that on Christmas Eve Portuguese families gather around the christmas tree and the Creche to celebrate the birth of Jesus. It also says, "Most children write letters to Infant Jesus asking for presents rather than to Santa Claus" and this was interesting because it's very different from the way we do it. Later during the day, most families attend the Midnight Mass called "Missa do Galo" and after they would have supper together. I thought this was very cute because I thought it really seemed like they all were very close to eachother and their families and that church is a big priority to them too. At the end of the article, it said, "During the holiday season towns are decorated with lights. The festivities end on January 6, 'Dia de Reis'" and I thought this also was cool because it seems that portuguese christmas' are very important to them and they celebrate it for a long time and it just seems very fun and alive at that time of the year!!

Holiday Traditions in Portugal "Feliz Natal"." Holiday Traditions in Portual "Feliz Natal". 2008. 4 Mar 2009 .