Christmas in Fortaleza Picture 1

More information on Christmas in Fortaleza Photo by: deltafrut

Christmas decorations outside of shopping centers begin to be seen early in November with Christmas lights. The Ferreira Square and vicinities, which is one of the largest displays of Christmas decorations in Fortaleza always has four eighteen meter high trees. The city is aglow with Christmas trees and decorations all over the city such as the Sea Dragon Centre and its vicinities, the entire edge of the beach of Iracema and other  main hot spots. A tradition is the procession of illuminated vessels which floats every night through some beaches.  

A Family Christmas in Fortaleza

In the private sphere, where the event takes place largely, the actions are similar to those that occur everywhere: dinner with the whole family, exchanging of gifts; readiing of  some text about Christmas or even a small family staged with children. Then the adults would attend the midnight mass, called Missa do Galo.

In the public sphere, outside the great agitation of the trade, which is marked by exposuring of beautiful cribs in the Metropolitan Cathedral throughout the month of December the whole town is full of lights. Colored bulbs illuminated trees are customary in front of houses.

The Costumes: the decorations of the houses come in mid-November / early December, but every office and shop, also decorates. It is customary to have end-of-the-year meetings in workplaces, or among large families that promote the Secret Santa, a Western Christmas tradition, in which members of a group or community are randomly assigned a person to whom they anonymously give a gift. In Brazil it is called amigo secreto or amigo oculto (Secret Friend).

The custom of the Christmas midnight mass (portuguese, ​Missa do Galo)   still exists in most families, especially in small and medium-sized cities, more religious in nature. The cribs are part of the decoration and distinguishes the religious families.  Christmas dinner is usually the highlight of the evening always rich in possessions of the family, always an opportunity to meet and toast to love. The most famous dishes are turkey, french toast, fruit cakes, Christmas cake, roasted chestnuts, various fruits, nuts, hazelnuts, almonds, raisins and tropical fruits, such as mango and pineapple.  Some say that eating dates at Christmas brings good luck. Grapes are the most served fruit. The presents are opened after dinner and the party continues with many gifts and Christmas greetings. The next morning is to prepare for lunch. Many families leave the dinner served all day long. 

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