Over more than 40 years of activity, Horto do Campo Grande has created true bonds of friendship with private, institutional, and corporate clients, relationships that take on special symbolism at this time of year. During the Christmas season, many visit our gardens – Campo Grande, Quinta da Eira, and Fernão Ferro – in search of special ornaments, pieces, or inspiring decorative elements to transform their homes and organizations into places where the magic of Christmas happens.
It was during these visits, so special to us, that we invited some of our customers to share with us their Christmas memories and also which elements cannot be missing from their Christmas decorations this year.
“My Christmas” by Manuel Luís Goucha
Christmas has a scent, and it’s the aromas of the season that I keep in my memory. The smell of pine or its resin, of moss still fresh, of cinnamon tracing the immaculate rice pudding, because without egg yolks, or even better if it’s aletria, of sugar caramelized by the branding iron that crowns the leite-creme…
Christmas is sparkle, light, songs heard endlessly, always the same ones every year. And even hearts soften. A pity it’s for such a short time.
There are always two trees, one at the farmhouse, another at the Sintra house. The first more rustic, this year in earth tones starting from a dry tree I had cut down and brought from Fontanelas. The other more sophisticated. This year, since I never do identical trees, in shades of lilac, green, and pink. I don’t overload the houses with decorations. I don’t always set up the nativity scene. Everything takes many hours, but the excitement I feel is childlike.
I decorate the houses for myself and for Rui, although he doesn’t care much about Christmas. I do, I love the season and I know what to do for the following year before the Three Kings have even arrived. We don’t host during this season, also because it’s usually time to travel, let’s say it’s the gift I give myself, since Christmas Day isn’t just about Baby Jesus.
We share some suggestions inspired by Manuel Luís Goucha’s Christmas tones, available in our online store and Garden Centers
© Companhia das Cores for Horto do Campo Grande
