Christmas Traditions: Family Moments

At Maison Mangostan, we believe that family traditions are the heart of the holiday season. This year, thanks to the talented photographer @nata.horinkova, we had the privilege of meeting two wonderful families who invited us into their homes to share how they celebrate Christmas. From decorating their spaces to preparing meaningful recipes, their stories inspire us to create special moments.

Here, we introduce the Weaver family and their unique way of celebrating this magical time of year.

"We are the Weaver’s. After living in the US for almost 6 years we were ready for our next adventure and moved together with our kids Lenny 9yo and Lilly6yo in summer 2020 to a beautiful small Surftown close to Lisbon called Ericeira, which we are calling home now.

Christmas for us is all about slowing down, getting cozy, decorating the house and baking christmas cookies together. We are trying to include both of our nationalities, german and british traditions to enjoy the holidays.

Starting the festivities with putting out a boot for Nikolaus on Dec 6th.
On Dec 24th, Christmas Eve the kids hang stockings on the fireplace so Santa Claus can fill their stockings with presents, fruit followed by a big festive dinner together with our extended family. Before going to bed, the kids put out a glass of milk, a carrot and a cookie for Santa Claus and his reindeers. In the morning of Dec 25th the kids will be surprised with presents"

Meet the Silva Roque family, who live in the charming coastal town of Ericeira, Portugal. For them, Christmas is all about creativity, simplicity, and cherished traditions.

"We’re Marisa, Sara, Maria, and João, a family living by the sea in the charming village of Ericeira, Portugal, along with an adorable dog and two cheeky cats.

Christmas is a highlight of the year for us and often begins before December, with carol singing at full volume (though our neighbors might not agree). We prioritize creating memories over collecting things, embracing simplicity and joy. Maria, our creative spirit, crafts her own advent calendar each year, and the kids prepare snacks for Santa and his reindeer—plant-based milk and a carrot, of course!

Our traditions blend old-world charm and simple pleasures. Every year, the kids and grandparents create a nativity scene with real moss—a messy but fun project. Portuguese Christmas wouldn’t be complete without “bacalhau com todos” and “sonhos,” fried dough that truly lives up to its dreamy name.

Fun fact: Marisa gave up sugar three years ago and exercises immense self-control while everyone else indulges in holiday treats!

We spend Christmas Eve and day surrounded by extended family, sharing laughter, stories, and delicious food. A secret Santa exchange keeps things exciting, and at midnight, Santa rings the bell, delighting the kids with gifts.

From our cozy corner in Portugal, we wish you a holiday season full of love, laughter, and maybe a few “sonhos”—no self-control needed!"

With moments filled with laughter and joy, their way of celebrating reminds us that the true magic of the holidays lies in sharing them with our loved ones.