The Voice:

Perspectives: A Brazilian Christmas in Ireland

As December approaches, many Irish abroad find our minds often drifting back across the Atlantic to thoughts of home. Mulled wine, mince pies, crisp, cold air, and most importantly, being surrounded by family and friends. It’s a season built on tradition and nostalgia. This is a shared feeling for the Brazilian community in Ireland who are missing their own family and traditions. And what we have in common is the experience of each other’s culture at this time of year. To explore this, we invited four Brazilians living in Ireland to share their experience of an Irish Christmas to remind us how we can all take some comfort in some new traditions.

The Cosy Winter is More Than Just Weather

While it may be expected, understandably, the biggest difference of an Irish Christmas is the winter weather. It’s not just about the temperature; it’s an atmosphere. “In Brazil, it’s hot, loud, and very social. In Ireland, it’s cold, cosy, and much quieter, with more focus on being home”, says Beatriz from São Paulo, living in Ireland for 11 years.

The ‘cosy’ is fueled by what we might take for granted. The Christmas lights aren’t just decoration, they’re a source of joy against the long and dark winter months. “The lights set a mood in a different way”, says Ana Clara from Marília, now three years in Ireland. “The Christmas lights suit the season much better here and really add to the festive feeling” notes another respondent. Mulled wine at Christmas markets or after-dinner Irish Coffees – “warm drinks that suit the season much better here” – are another layer of tradition that Manoela from Florianópolis came to adore.

When Everything Stops

One of the most surprising aspects for Brazilians is the profound quiet of December 25th itself. A tradition of rest that can feel somewhat isolating for an Irish person abroad but is deeply noticeable to newcomers.

“That everything closed on Christmas Day and public transportation doesn’t work” was a big surprise for Beatriz. “The streets are empty, the shops are closed, and there’s no rush. If you don’t have family around, it can be very quiet,” adds Manoela. This pause is unique as Beatriz notes: “here in Ireland, they also rest on the 26th, and we don’t have this in Brazil.” A testament to the sacred space the culture holds for family time, something an Irish person in Brazil may come to miss.

Adopting and Adapting New Traditions

The Brazilian community in Ireland hasn’t just observed, they’ve participated by adopting and blending traditions.

“Christmas markets is a new tradition for sure” says Ana Clara, who was pleasantly surprised by “how nice they are.” While “wearing Christmas jumpers” was one of Beatriz’s favourites.

Their top tips for an Irish person facing a first Brazilian Christmas highlight this cultural swap. “Enjoy what Brazil has to offer. Embrace it, but try to keep some of your own traditions too” advises Ana Clara. The very things you miss may be your gifts to share.

Building a Christmas Away From Home

So, what is the Brazilian recipe for a perfect Christmas in Ireland? It’s built on connection, a blueprint any Irish person abroad could use.

For Ana Clara, it revolves around creating warmth, where she imagines her perfect day involving “a nice dinner with friends on Christmas Eve”, and later, “having a long call with my family in Brazil.” Beatriz adds, “friends become your family when you live abroad’, and she looks forward to “watching Christmas movies while having a nice hot chocolate together wrapped in blankets.”

Manoela echoes the sentiment of a slow, connected day at home with family and friends, “preparing some Brazilian food, and enjoying dinner with my husband. And if my family is here, then that’s even better.”

A Message to the Irish in Brazil

Christmas is not always an easy time, and being away from home can be tough. And just like the new traditions we experience, those in Ireland are not forgotten, but being experienced through fresh eyes with immense appreciation. The coziness, the quiet, and the lights are tangible elements of the atmosphere and tradition that we bring with us wherever we go.

This Christmas, while you’re enjoying a very different atmosphere, with long and noisy celebrations, take comfort from the knowledge that on both sides of the Atlantic, there are people missing home, creating new traditions and making the best of what they have.