by Beatriz, age 8 from Lisbon, Portugal, asks Santa about Christmas garland, the Tagus River, and the Portuguese Consoada tradition.
Dear Santa, my name is Beatriz, and I am eight years old. I live in Lisbon, Portugal, where our house sits on a hill so steep that my avo says the little yellow trams practically climb like mountain goats.
Dear Beatriz, those brave little trams climbing Lisbon’s hills have earned my deepest respect, and I imagine they deserve a very good rest after each Christmas Eve shift.
Santa, I have three questions.
Do you like Christmas garland? My avo strings pine branches along our staircase every single year.
I love garland, Beatriz, and pine branches along a staircase sound absolutely lovely, practically guiding me straight up to the good cookies waiting at the top.
My teacher says Lisbon sits right where a big river meets the ocean. Is that true?
It is true, Beatriz, the Tagus River widens into a great estuary right by Lisbon before reaching the Atlantic Ocean, and that wide silvery water is one of the prettiest landmarks I fly over on my whole European route.
My avo says our big Christmas Eve meal, the Consoada, always includes salted codfish. Is that true?
It is very true, Beatriz. Bacalhau, salted codfish, has been a beloved centerpiece of the Portuguese Christmas Eve table for generations, alongside family gathered late into the night before opening presents. That kind of shared meal, cooked the same way for years, is really what ties a family’s traditions together.
Merry Christmas, Santa.
Your friend,
Beatriz Costa
Lisbon, Portugal
P.S. Can you leave extra garland for our staircase this year?
Consider it done, Beatriz, a good staircase deserves proper decoration.
