Saudade – Noun. A Portuguese word that doesn’t have a direct English equivalent… The sentiment is a feeling of longing, nostalgia, dreaming, and wistfulness…
Halloween isn’t exactly a big deal in Portugal — at least not in the same way it is back in the U.S. Here, October doesn’t bring front-yard graveyards, inflatable ghosts, or aisles of plastic skeletons at Target (because, well, no Target). But we decided to bring a little bit of our Halloween magic across the Atlantic anyway.
While Stacey was back in the U.S. last week, the kids and I went into full-on spooky mode. We spent the weekend secretly transforming the house — paper bats fluttering across the walls, twinkle lights glowing orange, and tiny handmade ghosts stuck to the walls. When Stacey walked through the door, jet-lagged and unsuspecting, she was greeted by a full-blown Halloween explosion. The look on her face was worth every bit of glue, tape, and glitter we used. Here are the results of our hard (and really fun!) work:
Of course, it wouldn’t be Halloween without pumpkins — but here’s the twist: Portuguese pumpkins are… different? Definitely not the same genus we’re used to in picturesque New England, which is like the birthplace of Halloween. But Stacey, ever the creative genius, carved two of them into absolute masterpieces. They’re definitely not the perfectly round, smooth pumpkins we’re used to back in New England — they’re lopsided, earthy, and somehow even spookier. And they are perfect! We entered them into the school’s pumpkin carving contest… be on the lookout for an update on WHAT WE WON 😀 Today is also the school Halloween costume contest.
But as we hung bats and lit candles, I couldn’t help thinking about how complicated this all is. Every year, around this time, there’s a bit of controversy in Portugal about Halloween. Some locals feel that this imported holiday — with its American-style decorations and trick-or-treating — is eroding older Portuguese traditions, like Pão-por-Deus, a day when children go door to door on November 1st collecting bread and sweets in honor of All Saints’ Day. It’s a quieter, more reverent holiday — deeply rooted in community and remembrance.
So when American immigrants (we’re not calling ourselves “expats” because… well, that’s a topic for a future post) bring our Halloween excitement and Target-inspired decor to Portuguese neighborhoods, I understand why it can feel jarring. A little too loud. A little too much. As we’re learning week by week, the culture is sacred, nuanced, and sometimes complicated.
And that’s where the complicated feelings come in — for everyone.
As an immigrant, it’s a strange balance: wanting to honor and integrate into the culture that has welcomed us, while still holding onto the pieces of home that make us feel grounded and whole. We don’t want to overwrite tradition — we just want to find our place inside it. Especially for the kiddos, who love candy Halloween and definitely aren’t ready to give it up.
For me, Halloween isn’t just about costumes and candy. It’s about creativity, about tradition, about finding light and laughter in the darkening days of autumn. It’s a moment of connection — and, this year, a way to make our house feel like home. While we’re absolutely loving our journey so far, it’s not without complicated emotions.
And yet, I recognize that even these innocent, joyful acts are part of a bigger story — one about cultural exchange, adaptation, and identity. Maybe we can carve pumpkins and learn about Pão-por-Deus. Maybe it’s not about replacing traditions, but letting them coexist — a little bit of orange glitter sprinkled gently over centuries of history. Maybe we’ll find a Pão-por-Deus activity to participate in this weekend. If so, we’ll blog about it!
So yes — we brought Halloween to Portugal. We might be the only house on the block with spider webs and jack-o’-lanterns, but that’s okay. (Our landlords definitely think we’re crazy to spend 40 Euros on pumpkins…) Maybe we’ll start a new tradition. Or maybe we’ll just be that weird American family — which, honestly, feels perfectly on brand for us.
Happy Halloween from the Algarve — where the pumpkins are weird, the ghosts are friendly, and the balance between belonging and becoming is still a work in progress. 🎃👻
Till next time, #BehansOut