Christmas in Brazil

Christmas falls in summer in Brazil and the temperature in Rio can be up to 45 Celsius. The high temperatures and diverse cultures play a large influence on the food consumed on Christmas day. 

There is a play on words that says that ‘winter is like summer and summer is like hell’ because it is so hot in summer.

8th December

From this day onward the Christmas tree is decorated and preparations are made for Secret Santa or the Invisible Friend. Everyone draws a name, buys a gift for that person and in the weeks leading up to Christmas sends their Invisible Friend anonymous notes building anticipation for Christmas.

In the southern part of Brazil buildings and homes are elaborately decorated with lights and Christmas decorations. There are competitions for the most attractive houses and families go on outings driving around to see the houses. Beautifully decorated grand old buildings in the downtown areas throw open their windows and children from local orphanages each stand in an open window and sing a Christmas carol.

24th of December

A quiet dinner with immediate family is enjoyed on Christmas Eve. Thereafter teenagers head out to meet their friends.

25th of December

At around 11h00 family members start arriving at the host’s house bringing little nibbles for the table. Finger foods like cheese, pastrami, fruit, nuts and bread washed down with icy cold beer and fruit juices. Everyone wears bathing costumes and the day is filled with swimming, volleyball and football. At around 3pm everyone sits down for the big family meal. The meal may include Bobo de Camarao with Farofa and Mousse de Maracuja and Manjar for dessert.

Thereafter everyone takes a shower and dresses up smartly for time around the Christmas tree. The children are spoilt with gifts from all their relatives and then it is time for the Invisible Friends. Each person takes a turn next to the tree giving a short speech about the person for whom they purchased a gift. When that person recognises themselves they step forward to receive their gift, and then will proceed to describe their ‘friend’. Santa Claus will arrive laden with gifts and extremely uncomfortable in his hot suit after the Invisible Friend ceremony.

31st December New Year

Along the 8km stretch of the Copa Cabana beach in Rio everyone gathers for a party. Most people are dressed in white but those wishing to have more money in the coming year will wear silver or gold. Those seeking a partner in the new year will wear red.

Everyone will bring offerings for the goddess of water Iemanja. Originally an African deity, she has come to be associated with various other Virgin Mary figures and is celebrated by all religions. People throw flowers in the water for Iemanja and bring small boats laden with gifts like cheap perfume, fake money and bracelets which they launch into the ocean. They then make a wish for the new year.

The city organises a great fireworks display launched from the ocean.

The atmosphere is very harmonious but the next day no one can use the beach because it is filled with the debris of offerings.

6th January

Christmas trees are taken down.

With thanks to Patricia Marotta for all the information and wonderful support for this project.

With thanks to Andrea Fleischfresser for photographs and information on Christmas in the southern regions of Brazil.