It’s long been put to bed in many households, but Christmas is finally over here in Portugal on 6th January, the Day of Kings, or ‘Dia de Reis’. I reluctantly take down my tree and dismantle the crib in the fireplace for another year, and remind myself of the connection to the kings. Epiphany is the 12th day of Christmas, and the day when we celebrate the arrival of the three kings in Bethlehem, bearing gifts for the infant Jesus. Traditionally in Portugal it’s a day for families to eat together after work, and perhaps share small gifts. It’s almost certain that ‘Bolo Rei’ will make an appearance. This cake is in the shape of a crown, decorated with candied peel ‘jewels’ and containing a bean. If you’re the lucky person with the bean in your portion, it’s your turn to buy the cake next year.
Nice traditions, aren’t they? And so I’m taking you back to a very traditional village, here in the Algarve. You might remember the decorations in the streets of joyful Santa Rita? We returned a day or two later to visit their display of Nativity scenes.
Inside the simple community centre we were greeted warmly, then left to look around. Russian dolls, amazingly intricate arrangements of abalone and finely worked and sculpted shells, lovingly constructed tableaux and displays carved from wood, all sat side by side on table tops and boxes. Some of the figures were tiny, some taller. Some serious, some smiling. Some were woven from rafia, wrapped around with linen cloaks. Some inhabited a book, or a log of wood. Astoundingly, some were even made of paper, folded and coiled, round and round. There seemed no end to the ingenuity in telling the Christmas story.
The notice explained the ancient tradition of building a small altar in the home for baby Jesus, decorated with oranges and other fruits, and offerings of bread for the prosperity of the family. Outside again, we paused to admire the village one last time.
If it wasn’t such a long walk to the sea, I could live there! Happy Epiphany, everybody!
Some reminders of Christmas past :
Vila Real de S. Antonio – K is for Kings
Still Restlessjo 
I always love their miniature ones, so creative and special
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We weren’t sure what to expect for such a small village. Some pieces were similat to those we saw in the library in Olhao a few years ago. How are you settling in? Like you’d never been away?
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Still feel like we settling back in to some degree, but we need to settle quickly as lots of visitors arriving soon π
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That’s nice.
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Hi restless jo
this was a treat for a few reasons – first – your photos are so informal yet also professional feeling, which is enjoyable
second, I am not at all ready to let Christmas end this year (as opposed to other years when I am over it in 12/26 – hahah – but this year I am easing ut and even had a few Christmas songs on earlier today
— and third, the art! there was so much creativity in the decor and painting – and the fence posts were a simple fav
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So much to enjoy in this simple village, Yvette, and I agree- a huge range of talent on display. Happy to welcome you here.
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π
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A fantastic walk with such interesting findings, Jo.
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It’s a lovely village, full of surprises, Rupali. Thank you – I noticed you have a walk for me. Not sure if I’m posting a walk tomorrow. The intention is fortnightly but I’ll come and visit when I put my laptop on after supper π€π
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It is so nice to see Christmas through the eyes of others Jo, especially when so much loving care is put into the celebration. The manger was always a big part of our Christmas tradition growing up, which in hindsight makes me happy to know we were raised to know what wy!as REALLY important about the event. That said, we definitely had Santa too LOL. Thanks for sharing these heartfelt offerings. I loved the painted fence especially.
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I do love a traditional Christmas, Tina. All folded up and put away for another year now. Trying to focus on the year ahead but I’m afraid I’m just letting it roll along at the minute.
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I’m with you on that Jo. The way I figure it, it HAS to be better than last year in my book!!
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How utterly charming. You have certainly settled in a beautiful place!
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I thought that to myself this afternoon as we wandered out to the coast in sparkling sunshine, Gunta.
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Jo, what a wonderful tradition and these Nativity are fabulous and incredibly inventive. I was trying to pick a favourite but gave up, instead lapping up the colours and creativity. It’s interesting you mentioned the oranges and other fruits; one Swedish tradition is to hang oranges decorated with cloves in the house. We did this as usual this year whilst my son’s girlfriend looked on with bemusement!
Wishing you a lovely weekend, my friend! xx
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Old traditions seem to have largely died out in the UK, Annika. On New Year’s Eve I was quite touched when our neighbour, of Scottish origin, went out to be our ‘first foot’ and came back with a piece of charcoal, a chunk of bread and a silver fifty pence piece. I had almost forgotten that had been commonplace when we lived in the north east.
It was a beautiful afternoon, hon, and we walked too far after lunch so we are sitting yawning now. Maybe a lazy day tomorrow!
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How lovely to return to Santa Rita – such a fabulous collection of nativity scenes! I love them all! but I am particularly taken by the scene painted on the piece of fencing (?) – so clever!
When we celebrate Christmas in London, we always get a Galette des Rois – very similar to the Bolo Rei. Except ours from Pauls (the Bakery) had specially made clay tokens (in the shape of little baked goods … croissant, baguette, etc with the year imprinted on it). Older Child collected them religiously for a time; not so interested in the cake itself.
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That’s a nice way to make a cake special, Ju-Lyn. The counter in our favourite bakery here was stacked high with them. Normally there would be traditional singing of charolas this month. That didn’t happen, but there was piped Christmas music in the streets of Tavira, keeping us cheerful.
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Wow! Does Tavira have speakers on the street? What fun!
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Yes, for the Christmas period ππ
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That must really add to the festive atmosphere.
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I love nativity scenes such as these. We’ve gone for many years to the National Cathedral in Washington to see creches from all over the world, but sadly we didn’t make it this season. At least I got to experience them through your post! π
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This is a lovely village, not far from here,Cathy. So glad they maintain traditions like this. Too late to wish you happy Epiphany but I hope you have a great year ahead!
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Thanks Jo! You too!
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What a plethora of delightful creations, Jo! Thanks so much for sharing them. I’m staring to think about taking down my Christmas decorations too but it’s so much less fun than putting them up. π¦
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I know! Some years I do it a bit at a time, but it never takes very long and then the place is all bare. We had some exciting news to distract us yesterday. Hopefully it’s going to be a good year!
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It is a lovely tradition and I enjoy the displays and individual alters. I am impressed with the variety. Our local bakeries sell the special cakes, and I just watched a segment on television showing how to make them with the special “prize” inside. I really enjoyed your photos, Jo.
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Thanks, Debbie. It was a very quiet Epiphany here today. Normally they would be singing charolas in town but we are still under a few restrictions until 9th January, so they were replaced with piped music. Still rather nice!
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They are all lovely, but the Russian doll version is particularly gorgeous.
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Everyone has a favourite. The paper dolls really amazed me.
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Such variety, and so clever! I like the figures painted on a fence. They all seem to have surprised expressions!
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Even more surprising when you go inside, Anabel! Thanks for your company, hon π€π
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Those are just amazing Jo. What a beautiful tradition. The imagination and creativity of people never ceases to amaze me. How are you getting on with the language? Could you read that poster?
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I read much better than I can speak, Pauline. Seeing it written makes much more sense to my brain than the spoken word, unfortunately. But I keep trying π€£π I seldom get further than pleasantries. But I can still appreciate beauty.
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What an amazingly creative lot of people live in that village. And such variety in the crib scenes, such ingenuity and resourcefulness in the use of local materials as well. I’m so glad you returned to get these pictures, they are worth bringing out again next year!
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It was a great find, Mari. It’s a village I usually only pass through but I’m so glad we stopped that day π€π
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Happy Epiphany, Jo! Since today is my grandma’s birthday, we always celebrated this on this day and nothing else. Only here in Italy I have learned of this holiday. Do you also have an old woman Befana who brings presents? Candy if you were good, coal if you were bad, both inside the socks?
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Thanks, hon! I think that is peculiar to Italy, but I’m not sure. Happy birthday to Grandma!
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What a wonderful collection!
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Thanks a lot, Dawn. Just found you lurking in the Spam.
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I love those nativity scenes, Jo. We have a display of nativity scenes here every year in the family center of the Holy Ghost Lutheran Church [https://wp.me/p4uPk8-1fd].
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They’re beautiful, aren’t they? Happy Epiphany, Pit!
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Lovely photos, Jo and some great creativity on display. So nice to see traditions like these are still alive.
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They make me smile, Graham. Especially the paper ones.
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How charming – and varied these are. A lovely tradition which we can all enjoy, whatever our faith or lack thereof. So sorry your son’s had bad news (I’ve been earwigging on your comments).
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Yes, multi-denominational, Margaret. It’s been quite a day! Sleepless night over the mortgage- withdrawn because it’s a flat roof art deco style, even though it was recently replaced, with a 25 year guarantee- much phoning and pleading because it will be open to offers again from this weekend if they can’t proceed. On standby for news all day in case instant money was needed. Think they have secured a mortgage. And finally got my engagement ring back from the jewellers. Looks brand new but I flinched when I got the price! Good job I’m worth it- ha! ha!
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Keeping everything crossed. And of COURSE you’re worth it!
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π€π
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I just finished taking down our tree and other decorations so this is a really apposite post π I assume these are all the work of the villagers? They’re so clever! I especially like the little log scene, while the simplicity of the raffia ones is very appealing. Thanks for sharing them!
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They all had labels on, Sarah, but I was so busy trying to avoid these in the photos that I’ve forgotten most of the details. Some were donated or on loan from local collectors. I loved the ingenuity of them. And yes, my place is looking bare now, too!
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So colorful. Great pictures.
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Many thanks for this, Brdidget. For some reason you ended up in the Spam.
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I love the nativity scenes so much Jo, I remember knitting one for my grand daugther.
Happy Epiphany!
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I bet that was lovely, Aletta! Thanks, darlin!
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It was fun making it π
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I would like to find that bean in the special Kings cake. What a lovely post. Such a variety of nativity scenes.
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Aren’t they great? The counter in the bakery was full of Bolo Rei this morning!
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The Father Christmas in the metal gate looks very welcoming Jo.
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It’s a lovely house too, Marion!
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What lovely displays, and some are quite ingenious!
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So clever, some of them, aren’t they? ,
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Such wonderful traditions and beautiful photos, Jo π Yes, Christmas is over and in Ireland as of today, kids are already back to school. Decorations are one of the best parts of Christmas, and I am very reluctant to take them down – I must find creative ways to redecorate my house now that the holiday is over. Cheers to health, happiness, and prosperity in 2022! Aiva π xx
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Thanks darlin! We had a bit of a scare this morning. Our son has been desperate to buy a house for ages. He had an offer accepted on New Year’s Eve and we were thrilled but then the mortgage company let them down. Thankfully we have just received good news. You will go on worrying about your daughter for many years to come, Aiva π€ππ
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These are lovely Jo, I love the log and the book, and the Russian dolls are beautiful π
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A real find, Eunice, in a year when Christmas has been quite low key. π€π
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I love this, Jo! Thanks for taking us along. The decorations are so festive!
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It’s nice to find something so traditional, Jill. I loved it too π€π
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Such lovely decorations Jo and wonderful traditions
The carved decorations are beautiful
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I was amazed at the detail, Alison. π€π
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How lovely, I’m not surprised you returned to see the wonderful displays.
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It’s such a lovely village, Sue. Happy Epiphany! π€π
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Lovely Jo. I like the rafia decorations π
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Aren’t they brilliant? I love the paper ones too π€π
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