Is gift-giving your love language? These 7 gifts will make your Portuguese amor feel all the love.
Valentine's Day isn't just a romantic celebration in the United States and Canada. Portugal also celebrates Dia dos Namorados on February 14.
For the most part, it's celebrated similarly to the U.S. and Canada. But some Portuguese women maintain a longstanding tradition that dates back to the 16th and 17th centuries — they embroider heartfelt messages on a lenço dos namorados (lover's handkerchief) and give it to their crush.
Maybe this year, you surprise your Valentine with your own version of the lenço dos namorados! Or, if DIY crafts aren't your thing, check out these gift ideas! SEE GIFT GUIDE
Lenço dos Namorados - A Portuguese Tradition of Courtship
For over 500 years, women in the Minho region of Portugal have been offering men a lenço dos namorados. Traditionally, the lenço was embroidered by a woman of marrying age and featured messages, or even poems of love, surrounded by romantic motifs of hearts, flowers and birds.
She would then present her lenço to the suitor of her liking. If he accepted and displayed the handkerchief in public (whether in the pocket of his jacket, on his hat, etc.), that meant that their budding relationship was official. If not, he would return the handkerchief. A little brutal if you ask us, but it certainly leaves no room for mixed signals!
In some parts of northern Portugal, such as Braga, people continue to offer a lenço dos namorados as a Valentine's Day gift — a throwback to the original tradition that began in the 16th and 17th
centuries.
Amor-Inspired Gifts for Your Valentine
1. Lenço dos Namorados Coffee Mug
You don't have to embroider your own lenço dos namorados to evoke its romantic spirit. Instead, you can give this mug decorated with the traditional motifs that are embroidered on the handkerchiefs.
2. Coração de Viana Gold Necklace
The Coração de Viana (Viana heart) is a Portuguese symbol that originates in the Minho region and is a popular design in Portuguese filigree jewelry. Though its origins aren't tied to love or romance, today it's customary for a mother to pass on her coração de viana to her daughter for good luck when she gets married.
3. Portugal Special Date Magnet
This gift is small but sends a very special message. With this custom magnet, you can commemorate a special day in Portugal with your love! And, if you're newly engaged (or about to be!), you can also order it as part of a Save the Date invitation.
4. Portugal Rainbow Heart T-Shirt
For some, Valentine's Day is about celebrating love — romantic love, platonic love, familial love...all the love! And this cheerful Portugal t-shirt does just that. Or, if you want a really specific scenario for this one, imagine this: you're planning the ultimate Portugal trip with your besties this year. And on Galentine's Day, you're finalizing plans. To make the day extra special, gift each of them this t-shirt wrapped with a picture of one of the sites you'll be seeing!
5. The Portuguese Letters: Love Letters of a Portuguese Nun
The Portuguese Letters were published in 1669, at which time they were believed to be real letters written by a Portuguese nun to her French lover. Soon after, the book became a scandal because of the clandestine and intimate love affair they portrayed. Today, it's more widely believed that the letters are fictional but the passion laid bare on its pages remains.
6. Castelbel Rose Soap
Who says big emotions need big gifts when there's this little bundle of rose-scented joy?! Keep it simple and say "I'm thinking of you" with this miniature, rose-scented soap from Portugal's timeless cosmetic brand, Castelbel. And it's thoughtfully wrapped in a traditional, Portuguese chita cloth.
7. Eu Te Amo Pillow
Whatever you do this Valentine's Day, don't forget to say "I love you" or "eu te amo" in Portuguese. With this pillow on your bed or favorite chair, you'll have a forever reminder of the love you share with your partner.
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