Join me for a New Year's Eve in Portugal!
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Join me, and I will share with you how I spend the final hours of the last day of the year and the first hours of the New Year! I can't promise an extravagant program, but through my account, you'll gain insight into me and the various traditions, superstitions, and beliefs that guide the Portuguese people when the clock strikes twelve in Portugal.
You might be curious about the green drink I'm holding. It's a beverage I enjoy on the last day of the year: Licor de poejo. Its green hue is often associated with hope. This liqueur boasts a delightful color and a captivating flavor. Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium) belongs to the well-known genus Mentha and is quite common in Portugal, belonging to the Lamiaceae (lipped) family. It is a perennial plant with rhizomatous roots, thriving in damp locations or alongside riverbanks, where it can be found in the wild among grasses and other plants. The color of this liqueur can either be green or yellow, depending on how the plant is utilized in its production.
First, let me tell you how I spend the final hours of the last day of the year and the first hours of the New Year. I can't promise an extravagant program, but you'll get to know me better as I share some of the traditions, superstitions, and beliefs that guide the Portuguese when the clock strikes midnight.
You might be curious about the green drink I'm holding. It's a beverage I enjoy on the last day of the year: Licor de poejo. Its green color, they say, symbolizes hope. This liqueur features a lovely hue and a delightful flavor. Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium) is a well-known species of the Mentha genus, common in Portugal, belonging to the Lamiaceae (lipped) family. It's a perennial plant with rhizomatous roots that thrives in moist areas and along riverbanks, often found growing wild amidst grasses and other plants. The liqueur can be either green or yellow, depending on how the plant is used in its production. Don't worry, my liver is perfectly fine!
Now, let's delve into our New Year's Eve traditions:
Late and Lavish Dinner:
Much like in many parts of the world, the Portuguese cherish the tradition of gathering around the dinner table to bid farewell to the old year and welcome the new one. As I've grown older, I've found that a good meal and drinks are essential elements of any celebration, whether with family or friends. Recently, with many Brazilians relocating to Portugal for work, I learned that some traditions vary. For instance, the idea of avoiding chicken in the New Year's Eve menu because "chickens scratch backward" symbolizes regression. In Brazil, they often consume lentil soup, believed to attract wealth and prosperity. The round shape of lentils resembles Roman coins, and it's considered a symbol of financial well-being. While the Portuguese don't have a specific dish to draw wealth, our hearty dishes can lead to some weight gain if we're not careful!
New Year's Eve Dinner Menu:
New Year's Eve Dinner Menu:
For my New Year's Eve dinner, I typically set out small dishes of rissoles, cheese, olives, and maybe stuffed eggs. The main course may feature bacalhau (codfish), seafood, or meat. If we have soup, it's usually Caldo Verde because it's light and widely enjoyed. Desserts include bolo-rei (King Cake), rabanadas (French Toast), aletria (sweet noodles), pão-de-ló (a sponge cake), and pudding. I also like to include almonds, dry figs, walnuts, pine nuts, apricots, and plums, which have been part of our winter solstice festivities. In Ancient Rome, these fruits were common gifts during celebrations, and the rich would offer dried fruits coated in gold. By including them in our Christmas table, we are following an age-old Roman tradition. Each type of dried fruit had a special meaning for them - hazelnuts prevented hunger, walnuts symbolized abundance and prosperity, and almonds were believed to protect against the effects of alcohol.
Enjoying the Outdoors:
Enjoying the Outdoors:
After a hearty dinner, it's time to head outdoors to watch the fireworks or catch a street concert. I don't typically linger outside for too long because I'm prone to getting cold. As soon as I can, I retreat to a comfortable spot to enjoy more food and drink. Sometimes, after midnight, we might even watch a movie or engage in a contest to see who can stay awake the longest - although it's no easy feat after indulging in more than our share of drinks!
Midnight Toast with Champagne and 12 Raisins:
Midnight Toast with Champagne and 12 Raisins:
As the clock approaches midnight, dinner is briefly paused. We don't usually have the TV on during meals, but on this occasion, we tune in to watch the countdown from somewhere in the world. It's a tradition to raise a toast with champagne and join the countdown. But on the table, there are typically a few other beverage options as the night progresses, including Port Wine. Sparkling wine has a long history of accompanying celebrations. It was considered more exquisite than other wines, and a symbol of luxury and refinement. Popping open a bottle of sparkling wine on New Year's Day is synonymous with celebration, joy, success, and achievement.
However, the Portuguese also engage in the custom of eating 12 raisins and making 12 wishes as soon as midnight strikes. Each raisin represents a month of the year, and it's believed that consuming them brings good luck in the months ahead. We must also hold a champagne flute in one hand, all while raising a toast. (It's worth noting that Brazilians eat grapes, not raisins!) So, if you're invited to a dinner in a Portuguese home and you find a bowl of raisins on the table, now you know what to do. Late in the night, everyone will grab their 12 raisins and prepare for the clock to chime midnight.
A tradition associated with having money in your pockets or hands when midnight strikes is something I've never actually followed. The belief goes that if you begin the year without any money, your bad luck will persist until the year's end. In today's age of plastic cards, there are many days when I don't have any coins or banknotes at home. But can plastic cards serve the same purpose? I've read that, following the Eastern belief that energy enters the body through the feet, some people tuck a banknote into their shoe, even making their first purchase of the year with this note.
The notion of clutching coins in your hand for good luck may trace its origins to the tradition of Cuckoo Day from the 19th century. An old British custom, Cuckoo Day is celebrated on April 14th and marks the arrival of spring, often associated with the sighting of the migratory bird, the cuckoo. According to tradition, anyone who spotted the cuckoo and discovered money in their pocket would be blessed with a year of prosperity. Another tradition involves tossing coins into the air precisely as the last bell tolls. In times of economic crisis, like the one we are currently facing, with predictions of a challenging year ahead, I find myself tempted to give this practice a try this year. It's time to break open the piggy bank! I own a ceramic one with a few old escudos coins inside, a true relic.
Jumping off a chair with the right foot
Jumping off a chair with the right foot is another tradition. The belief behind it is that, as the new year arrives, we must stand on a chair and leap to the ground with our right foot, symbolizing starting the year on the right foot. However, I find this to be a rather ill-advised idea. Think back to your driving lessons: they taught you not to drink and drive. So, if you've been drinking all night, climbing onto a chair under such circumstances is more likely to lead to a fall than to attract good luck.
However, the Portuguese also engage in the custom of eating 12 raisins and making 12 wishes as soon as midnight strikes. Each raisin represents a month of the year, and it's believed that consuming them brings good luck in the months ahead. We must also hold a champagne flute in one hand, all while raising a toast. (It's worth noting that Brazilians eat grapes, not raisins!) So, if you're invited to a dinner in a Portuguese home and you find a bowl of raisins on the table, now you know what to do. Late in the night, everyone will grab their 12 raisins and prepare for the clock to chime midnight.
Cottonbro Studio
This tradition is not exclusive to Portugal. A bit of historical research reveals that it was originally created by aristocratic Parisian families. Spanish families who spent extended periods in Biarritz and Paris during the last decade of the 19th century brought this tradition back to Spain. The custom of eating grapes, accompanied by champagne, on the last night of the year began to gain popularity among the Madrid bourgeoisie. However, during that era, finding grapes in winter was quite challenging. Consuming grapes was believed to bring good luck for the forthcoming year, and Spanish merchants saw a profitable opportunity in this tradition, thus initiating the sale of "Lucky Grapes" or "Fortune Grapes." Some families even chose to gather at Puertas del Sol in Madrid to partake in the grape-eating and champagne-drinking ritual, mirroring their customs at home. This practice gained traction with each passing year. In the early 20th century, farmers from Alicante and Murcia had an excess of grapes from the autumn harvest and began offering them to the people who gathered at Puertas del Sol. The tradition eventually expanded to include individuals from humbler backgrounds.
Toward the end of the 19th century, the Spanish public began to assemble and consume raisins instead of grapes in protest against a tax imposed by the municipality for those wishing to celebrate the Day of the Three Wise Men, or Dia de Reis, prematurely. During that period, the New Year wasn't celebrated on December 31st but on Dia de Reis, which fell on January 5th. This protest gradually transformed into a tradition.
On one New Year's Eve, I had the opportunity to spend the evening in Spain with my friends. They tuned the TV and showed me Puertas del Sol, the epicenter of New Year's Eve celebrations in Madrid. There, the clock at Puerta del Sol marked kilometer zero in Spain.
King Cake is a Must in January:
In ancient Rome, the beginning of every month, especially the first month of the year, was considered sacred to Janus. To secure the favor and prosperity of Janus, Romans adorned their homes with evergreens, prepared offerings for the god, and exchanged well-wishes and gifts, known as "strenae." These offerings typically included dates and figs, symbols of the sweetness and good fortune expected in the new year. The Roman custom of gift-giving on New Year's Day persisted through the Middle Ages, with offerings taking the form of cakes made from spelt flour and salt. These cakes are thought to be the precursor of the King cake. I've previously shared a lot about the King cake, even providing a recipe! A curious fact: January derives its name from the Latin word for "door," "ianua," as it signifies the gateway to the rest of the year. The Romans originally had ten months, with the names Martius, Aprilis, Maius, Junius, Quintilis, Sextilis, September, October, November, and December.
(A small King Cake I bought last week!)
Traditions that I never followed
Having money in your pockets or hands when midnight strikes
A tradition associated with having money in your pockets or hands when midnight strikes is something I've never actually followed. The belief goes that if you begin the year without any money, your bad luck will persist until the year's end. In today's age of plastic cards, there are many days when I don't have any coins or banknotes at home. But can plastic cards serve the same purpose? I've read that, following the Eastern belief that energy enters the body through the feet, some people tuck a banknote into their shoe, even making their first purchase of the year with this note.
The notion of clutching coins in your hand for good luck may trace its origins to the tradition of Cuckoo Day from the 19th century. An old British custom, Cuckoo Day is celebrated on April 14th and marks the arrival of spring, often associated with the sighting of the migratory bird, the cuckoo. According to tradition, anyone who spotted the cuckoo and discovered money in their pocket would be blessed with a year of prosperity. Another tradition involves tossing coins into the air precisely as the last bell tolls. In times of economic crisis, like the one we are currently facing, with predictions of a challenging year ahead, I find myself tempted to give this practice a try this year. It's time to break open the piggy bank! I own a ceramic one with a few old escudos coins inside, a true relic.
Jumping off a chair with the right foot is another tradition. The belief behind it is that, as the new year arrives, we must stand on a chair and leap to the ground with our right foot, symbolizing starting the year on the right foot. However, I find this to be a rather ill-advised idea. Think back to your driving lessons: they taught you not to drink and drive. So, if you've been drinking all night, climbing onto a chair under such circumstances is more likely to lead to a fall than to attract good luck.
Buying blue panties, slippers, or boxers to wear for the first time in the new year
And then there's the practice of buying blue panties, slippers, or boxers to wear for the first time in the new year. Donning new undergarments is believed to attract love and good luck. Personally, I've always found it a bit confusing: should I take off the old ones and put on the new ones at the stroke of midnight? But how can I do that in a house full of people? Should I head to the bathroom? Should my friends take turns in the bathroom? One thing is for sure: slipping into new panties freshly purchased, munching on 12 raisins, and making 12 wishes while sipping champagne while standing on a chair is quite an undertaking, particularly after a night of eating and drinking!
And then there's the practice of buying blue panties, slippers, or boxers to wear for the first time in the new year. Donning new undergarments is believed to attract love and good luck. Personally, I've always found it a bit confusing: should I take off the old ones and put on the new ones at the stroke of midnight? But how can I do that in a house full of people? Should I head to the bathroom? Should my friends take turns in the bathroom? One thing is for sure: slipping into new panties freshly purchased, munching on 12 raisins, and making 12 wishes while sipping champagne while standing on a chair is quite an undertaking, particularly after a night of eating and drinking!
Sticking one's head out of the window and creating noise by banging a pan with a wooden spoon or clanging two pot lids together.
Then there's the tradition of sticking one's head out of the window and creating noise by banging a pan with a wooden spoon or clanging two pot lids together. This practice is thought to drive away the malevolent spirits that may have plagued us throughout the year. While it may have once had its charm, the grand fireworks displays now have the same effect, not to mention the impact on our canine and avian friends. Speaking of which, what about my pet bird, Eva? No, I've never felt compelled to join in. In the 1950s and 1960s, this noisy tradition in Lisbon escalated to the point where old plates and pots were hurled out of windows, which, in the end, led to its prohibition.
Taking a dip in the sea during the early hours of New Year's Day
Then there's the peculiar tradition of taking a dip in the sea during the early hours of New Year's Day. This happens right here, in Figueira da Foz, as well as in Carcavelos, Nazaré, Matosinhos, Vila Nova de Gaia, and numerous other places. I've never attempted it and likely never will. As much as I adore the beach, I'd have to decline. We're in the northern hemisphere, it's winter, the wind is biting, the water is frigid, and the sun may not even make an appearance. For the daring souls who do plunge into the waves of the Atlantic on the first morning of the new year, it's a rather early start to the bathing season. In Brazil, where the climate is more favorable to such an endeavor, they jump seven waves while making seven wishes or expressing gratitude for something.
Then there's the peculiar tradition of taking a dip in the sea during the early hours of New Year's Day. This happens right here, in Figueira da Foz, as well as in Carcavelos, Nazaré, Matosinhos, Vila Nova de Gaia, and numerous other places. I've never attempted it and likely never will. As much as I adore the beach, I'd have to decline. We're in the northern hemisphere, it's winter, the wind is biting, the water is frigid, and the sun may not even make an appearance. For the daring souls who do plunge into the waves of the Atlantic on the first morning of the new year, it's a rather early start to the bathing season. In Brazil, where the climate is more favorable to such an endeavor, they jump seven waves while making seven wishes or expressing gratitude for something.
Booking a tour to a special place
Booking a tour to a special place, whether near or far, can also be a wonderful way to spend the last day of the year. I've done it on several occasions. At times, I've regretted it due to unfavorable weather conditions or overcrowded locations. To me, the destination doesn't need to be far-flung. What truly matters is being in an intriguing place and surrounded by the right company. In my view, Algarve, Madeira, and Serra da Estrela are the Portuguese locales that captivate most people. I've celebrated the turn of the year in Lisbon once and in Porto twice.
Algarve, often considered quite special, holds a special place in my heart. I'm fond of Algarve's beaches and the warm summer weather. Considering that the last days of the year tend to be cold and rainy, the prospect of celebrating outdoors, possibly even on the beach, is quite alluring. I remember one December evening in Figueira da Foz where I danced incessantly just to avoid freezing to death. It was indeed a memorable experience, albeit for the wrong reasons.
Many Portuguese choose to spend the final hours of the year in Serra da Estrela. While I'm not particularly fond of snow, it's delightful to admire it from the cozy warmth of a fireside. Serra da Estrela, the highest mountain in mainland Portugal, is a prime destination for nature enthusiasts. This vast natural park covers 100,000 hectares of captivating landscape. The highest point, known as Torre, reaches 1993 meters, making it the highest point on the mainland (Pico Mountain in the Azores tops it at 2351 meters). If there's not enough snow for snowball fights or building snowmen or even partaking in some skiing, the area still offers plenty to explore, including winding paths, imposing boulders, rugged cliffs, breathtaking viewpoints, meandering rivers, serene lagoons, herds of sheep, historical and mountain villages. The absolute stillness will soothe your soul.
When one thinks of Madeira island and New Year's Eve, the spectacular fireworks display instantly comes to mind. It's practically a trademark. Initially, locals celebrated with bonfires, but in the 18th century, the British community on Madeira Island introduced rocket fireworks to herald the arrival of the new year. A century later, a Madeiran banker named João José Rodrigues Leitão chose to revive this tradition, and wealthy families on the island competed with one another to stage remarkable firework displays. Over time, this spectacle continued to expand. In 2006, it gained international recognition in the "Guinness World Records" as the "biggest fireworks display in the world." Funchal Harbor is often too small to accommodate all the cruise ships that arrive to witness the fireworks.
In my opinion, one of the most beautiful New Year's traditions is singing The Janeiras.
The Janeiras, as they are performed in January, involve groups of men and women strolling through the streets at the start of the year, serenading door to door and extending their well-wishes for a happy new year. This tradition has roots in pagan rituals associated with the Roman month of Janus, which signifies the beginning and entrance. In earlier times, gifts were given to or requested from pagan gods at the start of the civil year as a symbol of good fortune for both the giver and the receiver. In Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, and Germany, people sing festive religious songs to celebrate the New Year.
The Janeiras—sung in January—typically feature groups of friends or neighbors singing together, occasionally accompanied by folk instruments like tambourines, drums, flutes, or guitars. They sing not only to bring in the new year but also to extend good wishes and gratitude for food, which harkens back to a time when people in need would receive gifts of food from those more fortunate. Nowadays, anyone can partake, whether it's a group of friends, neighbors, or even families. Sometimes, folklore instruments like tambourines, drums, flutes, and guitars are used to accompany the songs.
As for the practice of carrying a bay leaf in your wallet throughout the year to attract good fortune, the expression "reap the laurels of victory" comes from the awards presented to athletes in the early Olympic games of ancient Greece. Instead of gold, silver, or bronze medals, victors received a laurel wreath. Bay leaves, which stay green even in winter, symbolize immortality. Popular wisdom suggests that we should keep a bay leaf in our wallets year-round to attract abundance. Write your name on it and make a wish. The ideal time to replace the bay leaf is on the first day of the new year. I find this to be a charming tradition. What are your thoughts on it?
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Booking a tour to a special place, whether near or far, can also be a wonderful way to spend the last day of the year. I've done it on several occasions. At times, I've regretted it due to unfavorable weather conditions or overcrowded locations. To me, the destination doesn't need to be far-flung. What truly matters is being in an intriguing place and surrounded by the right company. In my view, Algarve, Madeira, and Serra da Estrela are the Portuguese locales that captivate most people. I've celebrated the turn of the year in Lisbon once and in Porto twice.
Algarve, often considered quite special, holds a special place in my heart. I'm fond of Algarve's beaches and the warm summer weather. Considering that the last days of the year tend to be cold and rainy, the prospect of celebrating outdoors, possibly even on the beach, is quite alluring. I remember one December evening in Figueira da Foz where I danced incessantly just to avoid freezing to death. It was indeed a memorable experience, albeit for the wrong reasons.
Many Portuguese choose to spend the final hours of the year in Serra da Estrela. While I'm not particularly fond of snow, it's delightful to admire it from the cozy warmth of a fireside. Serra da Estrela, the highest mountain in mainland Portugal, is a prime destination for nature enthusiasts. This vast natural park covers 100,000 hectares of captivating landscape. The highest point, known as Torre, reaches 1993 meters, making it the highest point on the mainland (Pico Mountain in the Azores tops it at 2351 meters). If there's not enough snow for snowball fights or building snowmen or even partaking in some skiing, the area still offers plenty to explore, including winding paths, imposing boulders, rugged cliffs, breathtaking viewpoints, meandering rivers, serene lagoons, herds of sheep, historical and mountain villages. The absolute stillness will soothe your soul.
When one thinks of Madeira island and New Year's Eve, the spectacular fireworks display instantly comes to mind. It's practically a trademark. Initially, locals celebrated with bonfires, but in the 18th century, the British community on Madeira Island introduced rocket fireworks to herald the arrival of the new year. A century later, a Madeiran banker named João José Rodrigues Leitão chose to revive this tradition, and wealthy families on the island competed with one another to stage remarkable firework displays. Over time, this spectacle continued to expand. In 2006, it gained international recognition in the "Guinness World Records" as the "biggest fireworks display in the world." Funchal Harbor is often too small to accommodate all the cruise ships that arrive to witness the fireworks.
In my opinion, one of the most beautiful New Year's traditions is singing The Janeiras.
The Janeiras, as they are performed in January, involve groups of men and women strolling through the streets at the start of the year, serenading door to door and extending their well-wishes for a happy new year. This tradition has roots in pagan rituals associated with the Roman month of Janus, which signifies the beginning and entrance. In earlier times, gifts were given to or requested from pagan gods at the start of the civil year as a symbol of good fortune for both the giver and the receiver. In Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, and Germany, people sing festive religious songs to celebrate the New Year.
The Janeiras—sung in January—typically feature groups of friends or neighbors singing together, occasionally accompanied by folk instruments like tambourines, drums, flutes, or guitars. They sing not only to bring in the new year but also to extend good wishes and gratitude for food, which harkens back to a time when people in need would receive gifts of food from those more fortunate. Nowadays, anyone can partake, whether it's a group of friends, neighbors, or even families. Sometimes, folklore instruments like tambourines, drums, flutes, and guitars are used to accompany the songs.
As for the practice of carrying a bay leaf in your wallet throughout the year to attract good fortune, the expression "reap the laurels of victory" comes from the awards presented to athletes in the early Olympic games of ancient Greece. Instead of gold, silver, or bronze medals, victors received a laurel wreath. Bay leaves, which stay green even in winter, symbolize immortality. Popular wisdom suggests that we should keep a bay leaf in our wallets year-round to attract abundance. Write your name on it and make a wish. The ideal time to replace the bay leaf is on the first day of the new year. I find this to be a charming tradition. What are your thoughts on it?
If you're looking for Portuguese-inspired Christmas or New Year's Eve gifts and cards, you may want to check A Portuguese Love Store.
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