Christmas in Brazil
Whatever country you go to, you will usually find a variety of cultures and customs making Christmas around the world celebrated with a variety of unique and similar Christmas traditions around the world.
You and your family might like to use other Christmas traditions and add them to your list of traditional favorites.
Wherever you spend your Christmas around the world you are sure to feel a part of the celebration as it is certainly the time of year when hospitality and good cheer take precedence.
Brazil is one country where you will find several of the Christmas traditions around the world as the country has a great mix of people from many parts of the world.
Brazil at one time was a Portuguese colony so several of the holiday customs have originated from Portuguese heritage.
Creating the nativity scene or presepio is a favorite tradition. In Northern Brazil a popular celebration is watching or taking part in the folk play Los Pastores (The Shepherds), this particular version uses shepherdesses instead of shepherds and a gypsy who attempts to kidnap the Christ Child.
In Brazil gifts are brought by Papai Noel (Father Noel) who is said to live in Greenland, and wears silk clothing because of the heat.
Similar to the dinner served at many a Christmas celebrations around the world, Brazilians Christmas dinner often includes turkey and ham, with colored rice, vegetables and fruit. Decorating in Brazil often uses fresh flowers from the garden.
Firework displays and large lighted Christmas trees are popular in larger cities such as Rio de Janeiro, San Paolo and Brasilia.
