Looking for birthday traditions in Portugal? We’ve gathered the complete guide for Portuguese birthday traditions – including how they celebrate, gifting etiquette, and traditional food and drink.
Birthdays are filled with unique traditions and festivities. Add to the celebrations with an unforgettable gift experience or a thoughtful gift.
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Unique Birthday Traditions in Portugal
- Morning Surprise: Friends and family gather outside the birthday person’s home early in the morning to sing “Happy Birthday” as they wake up, starting the day with love and laughter.
- Thank you song: Not only does the birthday boy/girl receives blessings (the birthday song) from friends and family, but in return, they also have a “thank you song” to sing back in return.
How to say Happy Birthday in Portuguese?
To wish someone a happy birthday in Portuguese, you can say “Feliz Aniversário!” or “Parabéns!”. “Feliz Aniversário!” is widely used in both European Portuguese (spoken in Portugal) and Brazilian Portuguese.
Here are some of the best birthday wishes in Portuguese:
- Feliz aniversário para o amor da minha vida! Espero que você tenha muitos mais anos cheios de amor. (Happy birthday to the love of my life! I hope you have many more years filled with love.)
- Feliz aniversário para minha pessoa favorita no mundo inteiro! Você torna cada dia mais brilhante com seu sorriso. (Happy birthday to my favorite person in the whole world! You make every day brighter with your smile.)
- Hoje é um dia para celebrar você e a pessoa incrível que você é. Feliz aniversário! (Today is a day to celebrate you and the amazing person you are. Happy birthday!)
If you need more wishes in Portuguese, read our full article on How to Say Happy Birthday in Portuguese.
Birthday Gift Etiquette in Portugal
Do’s in Gifting
- The birthday boy or girl usually pays for the meal, and friends typically bring gifts to the celebration.
- Good quality chocolates, candy, flowers, or upscale souvenirs from your home country are suitable gift choices.
- If your host says you don’t need to bring anything, it’s polite to bring a small gift anyway.
Don’ts in Gifting
- Rejecting any gift is seen as offensive in Portuguese culture.
- Avoid giving 13 of the same item, as the number 13 is considered a bad omen in Portugal (just like most other European countries).
Conclusion
Birthdays are filled with unique traditions and festivities. Add to the celebrations with an unforgettable gift experience or a thoughtful gift.
Celebrating a birthday in Portugal is an experience filled with joy, warmth, and tradition. So, the next time you find yourself in Portugal, embrace these traditions and join in the celebration of life and friendship.
Sophie is an etiquette coach who has the rare ability to make the intricacies of etiquette approachable and fun. She travels around the world coaching families, individuals, corporates and independent schools. Sophie has honed her craft without losing her easy-going charm.