Brazil is the biggest catholic country in the world, so, you can imagine how big Christmas is here.
There are a few interesting facts that make our Christmas a bit different from the Christmas celebrated in Northern countries. First of all, it is scorching hot all over Brazil. In Cuiaba, the city where I come from, it is 90F (or 32C) right now.
Food-wise, we usually eat turkey but for some time now other birds have been popular for the special occasion. 
My favorite is "Chester" a bird created by Brazilian food behemoth Perdigao in 1982 - I think the bird is far juicier and tastier than turkey. My mom seems to be favoring Sadia's Fiesta recently, and the woman can cook, let me tell you.
We also eat ham (here it is called "Tender") and farofa. 
Farofa is ground yucca stirred on a frying pan with butter and whatever else people throw in there. Loves it!
Oh, and there's panettone, a bread-like cake with either chocolate or dried fruits. Bauducco is the most famous brand for panettone in Brazil, and their chocolate version is my favorite.
The Christmas dinner usually takes place on the night of the 24th, with most eating dinner around midnight. Kids open their gifts on the morning of the 25th.
One of my favorite things about Xmas in Brazil is the tradition of secret Santa (called "amigo secreto" or secret friend). Among close friends, it is common for Brazilians to give a secret enemy "gift" prior to giving a secret friend gift, meaning that at the time one is to give someone a secret friend gift, two gifts will actually be given, the first gift given is something meant to embarrass the secret friend (hence the name, secret enemy - "inimigo secreto") and the second is an actual gift (like a shirt, book etc.) This year, my secret friend/enemy gave me the cute pink heels you can see on the picture on the left, the heels were actually quite decent and comfortable, the shoe is from Capodarte, a nice Brazilian brand, and I had to parade with it for quite a while (most of the night as a matter of fact).
I gave my secret enemy, who is kinda hairy, an Anal Waxing Gift Card - I bet he loved it. Most are required to try on their enemy gifts on sight...one of my good friends was required to try on his silk nightie -- he is seen on the quite inviting picture below (he also borrowed my pink heels)...
I am very glad to be able to spend Christmas with my family, but I miss my husband, who is spending Christmas with his family in New York.
I love you baby and I will see you very very soon.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all my readers!
;-)
Posted by: Queer Beacon | Dec 25, 2006 at 02:01 PM
hahahah
The Secret Santa was soooooooooooooooooooooo funny!
Anal Waxing! LOL
Merry xmas Augusto!
And Im sure that 2007 will be better
:-)
Loved to meet u!
Posted by: marcus | Dec 25, 2006 at 01:25 PM
Nice to learn you're in Brazil right now, Augusto!
Feliz Natal, querido amigo! E uma excelente festa familiar!
De Lisboa, um abraço natalício!
:-)
Posted by: RIC | Dec 24, 2006 at 06:56 PM