Who is your Christmas Amigo Secreto in Brazil?

Father Noel is the gift-bringer in Brazil. According to Brazilian folklore, he lives in Greenland, and it’s been said that because of how warm it is in Brazil during the Christmas holiday, Father Noel wears silk clothing to stay cool. 

There is a very common tradition among friends and families, called amigo secreto, or secret friend. In early December game participants write their own name on a piece of paper, and then place it in a bowl or hat to be drawn by another participant.  They then draw a name from the bowl, but do not reveal to anyone what name it says. Then throughout December people receive cards and notes from their secret friend, which have apelidos, or fake names, on them. Only on Christmas Day do people reveal who their secret friend was and offer a gift. During the month there are exchanges of correspondence among the participants who use apelidos (fake names). On Christmas, family and friends gather to reveal their secret friends and offer them a special gift.

In the old days, devout Catholics would attend Midnight Mass or Missa do Galo. Galo is Brazilian for rooster. The mass is called by this name because it actually doesn’t end until very early Christmas morning. Since it can be hard to stay up that late, masses are celebrated December 24 later in the afternoon or in the early evening on Christmas Day.

Homes are festively decorated using fresh flowers picked straight from the garden. Brazilians also take great pride in displaying their Presepio, or nativity scene. Gigantic displays of electric lights in the form of Christmas trees can be seen everywhere, especially in larger cities such as Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo. Elaborate fireworks displays and festive celebrations help ring in the New Year.