A couple of days ago Catarina at A Portuguese Affair shared Portugal’s New Year traditions, and I thought as we are not there this year maybe (if I am still awake at midnight!) I’ll follow the first two she mentions. 
If you wish to discover what the first is however then you will have to visit Catarina’s wonderful blog, but the second I will share here as it is one I have heard of before.
Eating 12 raisins at midnight, one at each strike of the clock.
Apparently in some areas it is traditional to wear blue whilst you eat them, and also to make a wish for each raisin swallowed. The tricky part of course is at the beginning when you don’t have much time between the ‘bongs’, especially if you are sipping champagne after each one! Will you dare try?
And if you are wondering about the pots and pans in my title, well they are another Portuguese tradition. They will help you ward off the evil spirits. Just bang a few outside after you have eaten your raisins, alternatively why not enjoy the fireworks instead. I’m sure they will be louder and much prettier than your saucepans!
Happy new year! Looking forward to receiving more Portugal inspiration from you in 2018
Oh thank you so much 😊
I didn’t know that about the pots and pans! I hit them every year since a child. We used them as noise makers for fun on New Years. Well I just learned a new meaning for it and it seems it was a good one too! Thanks!
How fabulous – now noone can stop you from ever doing it!!
Happy New Year Becky. We are going to watch the fireworks at Monte Gordo tonight! But the grapes, raisins trad is also Spanish. We did this last year, sang Auld Lang Syne and then watched the German tradition of Dinner for One. What I love about being out here is sharing so many different traditions from the many cultures around us.
Oh what fun…… thought it was a Spanish one too. Were you able to swallow them in time?!
Enjoy the fireworks later and maybe we can meet up in 2018? Happy New Year!
A good idea. Hopefully we can!