LETTER WRITING

If you're writing a Christmas card to your child in Brazil, here are some things to remember:

• Since Christmas occurs during Brazil's summer, the weather is always warm and there is never a "white Christmas." Still, many of Brazil's Christmas traditions are similar to those of North America.

• The nativity, or presepio, plays a predominate role in Brazilian Christmas celebrations. Papai Noel (Father Noel) is the gift-bringer who, according to the legend, lives in Greenland. When he arrives in Brazil, he wears silk clothing because of the summer heat. 

• In honor of Christ's birth, each Compassion project has a Christmas celebration. Usually there is a special Christmas service at the church that includes a play of the Christmas story performed by the sponsored children. Parents and family members are invited to the event. The service also includes the singing of Christmas carols. Many of the carols have been translated from English, although some are native to Brazil.

• Several weeks before Christmas, gifts are selected for individual children according to their needs or special requests. These gifts are then distributed to the children at the end of the Christmas church service. Special holiday treats are also shared with the families. Two traditional Christmas foods are panetone (an Italian bread usually filled with dried fruit and chocolate drops) and rebanada (French toast).

Write your child a letter.

GIFT GIVING

Child Gifts
Below are some examples of what a monetary gift can purchase for your child in Brazil:

$10 and under: beans (1 kg), bread, coffee (500 g), meat, oil (900 ml), rice (5 kg), sugar (1 kg)
$15 and under: ball, book, clothes (jacket, jeans, pants, shirts, etc.), shoes, toy
$40 and under: blanket (single and full size), dolls, lamp

Give your child a gift.

Family Gifts
Below are some examples of what a monetary gift can purchase for your child's family in Brazil:

$100 and under: tools, bicycle
$150 and under: mattress (single size)
$250 and under: mattress (double size)

Give a family gift.