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Madeira is a great destination to visit all year and Paúl do Mar is one of the best places to stay. We are a small village with nice people who loves to live Christmas.
Our traditions will surely surprise you, the climate, the local gastronomy and the decorations make our island just unique.
There are many religious customs in this season, families build a nativity scene to celebrate the birth of Jesus. In Villa Amore we already did ours, it was made with a lot of love and inspiration, as you can see in the images. The madeiran “lapinha” is other tradition that features Jesus Child standing at the top of a few steps, decorated with fruits, such as tangerines. As well, we have one “presépio” made with banana tree leaves by local people here in Pául do Mar.
During the Christmas season, we usually go to each other’s house to see this traditional ‘’presépios’’ and drink liquors to celebrate. Liquors, honey cake, and cookies are also another Christmas tradition around here. It’s a celebration and sharing moment where take us to sing and enjoy this season with our family and friends.
We have traditional food that we normally just eat on this holidays, that is pork with garlic and wine, “vinha d’alhos” , in a slice of bread and chicken soup. That sandwich tastes like Christmas.
During this month we wake up at 6 am to go to the church for a celebration called “missas do parto”, they are nine and we honor the pregnancy of the Virgin Mary, and in the end we have “missa do galo” on Christmas night celebrating Jesus Birth.
The celebrations in Paul do mar continues until January when we have a great feast of “Santo Amaro”, a date that is also used to ‘sweep the cupboards’, with delicacies identical to those on Christmas Day being placed on the table.
Come join us in this special season! We would be glad to share these traditions with you.
Happy Holidays!
