![\"\u00c1rvore](\"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/portuguese\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2015\/12\/6570751481_ddd0a3ed7d_z.jpg\")
\u00c1rvore de Natal da Lagoa, RJ – Photo by Juliana Fernandes<\/p><\/div>\n
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1. A decora\u00e7\u00e3o (the decoration)<\/strong>: Christmas tree, lights, decorations: they are also part of the tradi\u00e7\u00e3o brasileira (Brazilian tradition). A funny aspect is that some people actually make neve falsa (fake snow)! Even though it is hot in Brasil and that it is summer this time of the year the south hemisphere, part of the decoration includes neve falsa due to the fact that Christmas was brought to Brasil by European colonizers.<\/p>\n 2. Pres\u00e9pio<\/strong>: the scene of when Jesus is born \u2013 surrounded by Maria (Mary), Jos\u00e9 (Joseph), os tr\u00eas reis magos (the three wise man) and some animais de fazenda (farm animals) \u2013 this scene is also part of the decoration. People buy the small statues and put them together building the scene on a coffee table or close to the Christmas tree.<\/p>\n 3. Papai noel<\/strong>: Santa Claus. Papai Noel is the same in Brazilian culture as he is in most cultures, he brings presents to crian\u00e7as<\/em> (children) who have been good throughout the year. Sometimes people question why Papai Noel wear those clothes in Brazil, since it would be too hot for him to be confort\u00e1vel<\/em> (comfortable). Again this has to do with the fact that the Papai Noel is originally from cultures where it is frio<\/em> (cold) this time of the year.<\/p>\n 4. Amigo oculto<\/strong>. Everywhere at this time of the year groups of amigos<\/em> (friends), colegas de trabalho<\/em> (workmates) as well as fam\u00edlias<\/em> (families) have an amigo oculto, which would be much like a secret santa. There are many different variations and one of the most common is the amigo oculto lad\u00e3o (thieve secret santa). 5. A data (the date)<\/strong>: in most countries people have a big meal on the 25th, in Brasil, however, most fam\u00edlias get together and have a late meal on the 24th (at around 9 or 10pm) and open the presents at meia noite (midnight). On the 25th families have a almo\u00e7o<\/em> (lunch), much like the jantar<\/em> (dinner) or the 24th, but with a different or more distant part of the family or even with amigos (friends) or their partner\u2019s family.<\/p>\n 6. Comidas tradicionais (traditional food)<\/strong>:
\nHow it works: each person buys a present, everyone gets together for a party (dinner parties are more common) and people choose a number from a hat, if you get number one you are the first one to choose a present from the table and so on. The second person can either get a present from the table or steal the present from the first person and leave them to choose another one from the table. The third person can steal the first or second\u2019s person presents or get something from the table. This keeps happening until all the presents have been opened. Being the last to choose is best since you get to steal any present you wish.<\/p>\n
\n\u2022 Peru assado: turkey
\n\u2022 Chester: it is a type of poultry, a mixture of diffents tipes of chicken. Its chest is usually bigger than of a normal chicken and it is a cheaper alternative to turkey. When the family is big people tend to make both turkey and chester.
\n\u2022 Leit\u00e3o assado: pork in the over. There is a smaller type of pig that people buy and cook them in full in the oven for 2 to 3 hours.
\n\u2022 Lombo de porco: pork loin in the oven.
\n\u2022 Arroz: rice \u2013 it always accompany any of the main dishes mentioned above.
\n\u2022 Salpic\u00e3o \u2013 it is a type of cold salad with shredded chicken breast, mayonnaise and other ingredients depending on personal taste, such as sweet corn, peas, green apple, carrots, ham, sultanas, string beens, olives, green or red peppers, and even yogurt. Here is a recipe for a traditional salpic\u00e3o:<\/p>\n