Life in Portugal: Traditional Portuguese Wedding Gifts
Portuguese weddings are expected to be amazing, featuring several courses with meats, seafood, desserts, and fine drinks. If you have been invited to a wedding in Portugal, then you need to find the right gift. The newlywed couple will enjoy receiving a gift that represents the country’s traditional wedding customs. From cash to dinnerware and hand-embroidered linens, there are plenty of options to choose from.
Traditional Portuguese wedding gifts should help the newlywed couple start a home together. Here are a few gift ideas to help you out:
Dinnerware
These goods are a general staple in most wedding registries. Make sure you order regionally hand-crafted Portuguese items. Many stores sell 15th and 17th century reproductions made from natural clay. Handmade ceramic dinnerware is a family tradition in Portugal. This European country is famous for its pottery and fine tile work. The newlywed coupled will be glad to receive classic dinner plates in timeless shapes, dessert bowls designed for everyday use, and handmade stoneware teacup sets adorned with unique details.
Cookware
These beautiful pieces of ceramic cookware allow for traditional methods of Portuguese cooking. Terracotta roasting pans, ceramic pots, and casseroles are used extensively in the Portuguese cuisine. These items are available in all shapes and styles. If you are looking for traditional Portuguese wedding gifts, consider buying a cataplana. This piece of cookware consists of two metal clam-shells that clamp together. The Portuguese people use cataplanas to enhance the flavors of seafood.
Money
The money dance is one of the most popular wedding traditions in Portugal. Male guests pay to dance with the bride, while female guests pay to dance with the groom. The bride’s show is passed among guests to collect money, which will help the newlywed couple cover the wedding expenses, pay for their honeymoon, and even buy a house of their own. If you haven’t found a wedding gift yet, you can simply offer money to help the newlyweds start their life together.
Portuguese Embroidery
Portuguese embroidered tablecloths and tray cloths make excellent wedding gifts. This country is renowned for beautiful embroidery. Most items are characterized by beauty and simplicity, featuring unique details and traditional patterns. When you go shopping for a wedding gift, consider buying a traditional linen tablecloth, a love scarf, an embroidered rug, or a tray cloth with traditional motifs such as brambles, flowers, and leaves. A set of Portuguese table linens embroidered by hand will certainly be cherished.