Introduction:
When I moved to the UK, winter was one of the hardest adjustments for me. Growing up in Brazil, even our “cold” season was bright and full of energy, thanks to celebrations like festas juninas and family gatherings. But here? Grey skies, long nights, and freezing weather left me feeling drained and isolated. I didn’t know it at the time, but I was experiencing Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)—a form of depression triggered by the lack of sunlight.
After struggling through my first couple of winters, I realised I needed to make changes. I started creating my own winter rituals to bring warmth, joy, and a sense of connection into my life. These small strategies—many inspired by my Brazilian roots—transformed my winters into something I now look forward to every year.
If you’re an expat like me, here are five cozy rituals to brighten your UK winters and bring a little bit of home into the season.
1. A Mug of “Leite Quentinho” with Caramelised Sugar & Cinnamon ☕✨
In the winter months, I always turn to my favourite childhood drink: leite quentinho (warm milk) with caramelised sugar and cinnamon. My mum and grandma used to make it for me on chilly evenings in São Paulo, and the scent of the caramelising sugar still reminds me of home.
Why it works:
Beyond the nostalgia, cinnamon boosts circulation and creates a sense of comfort. Plus, there’s something meditative about slowly stirring the sugar as it bubbles and turns golden—it forces you to pause and enjoy the moment.
How I adapted it in the UK:
- I use golden caster sugar (easily found in UK supermarkets) for the caramel.
- Cinnamon sticks (canela em pau) are available in Brazilian shops or online (affiliate link).
- For an extra treat, I pair it with pão de queijo (frozen versions are widely available here).
Whenever I make this drink, I feel like I’m bringing a little piece of Brazil to my UK home.
2. Move Your Body with Samba or Forró Nights 💃🎶
When I think of winters in Brazil, one of my warmest memories is celebrating festas juninas. These winter festivals were the highlight of the season, bringing music, food, and a sense of community to even the chilliest months. Now, living in the UK, I often look back on those celebrations and try to recreate that joy and connection to help me get through the darker, colder days.
What Are Festas Juninas?
Festas juninas and julinas (June and July Festivals) originated as religious celebrations introduced by the Portuguese during colonisation. Traditionally, they honoured Catholic saints such as Saint John (São João), Saint Anthony (Santo Antônio), and Saint Peter (São Pedro).
Over time, however, these festivals evolved to reflect Brazil’s rich diversity of religions and cultures. Today, festas juninas celebrate rural traditions, featuring folk music, dancing, and food. Even people who don’t follow Catholicism have adapted these celebrations to suit their own beliefs, making them inclusive and vibrant.
The festivals are famous for their rustic charm—floral dresses, straw hats, and plaid shirts are the typical attire—and for dances like the quadrilha, which mimics life in the countryside. And then there’s forró, my personal favourite. It’s a lively and emotional dance that’s much easier to learn than samba, and its rhythm makes it impossible to stand still.
Why Dancing Is Perfect for Beating the Winter Blues
During my first winters in the UK, I often felt stuck indoors, unmotivated, and isolated. I realised that movement, particularly dancing, was one of the best ways to shake off the gloom. Dancing forró doesn’t just warm up your body—it lifts your mood by releasing endorphins and connecting you with others.
How to Adapt Festas Juninas to the UK Winter
If you’re missing movement or connection during the colder months, here are a few ways to bring the spirit of festas juninas into your UK life:
- Join a Brazilian Dance Class: Many UK cities have Brazilian communities offering forró, samba, or even Zumba classes (which often include Brazilian rhythms). Look for local events on Meetup, Eventbrite, or Facebook groups for Brazilians living in the UK. If you don’t find anything nearby, virtual classes are a great alternative. Here are some Forró dances in London;
- Host a Forró Night at Home: I love turning my living room into a mini festa junina. String up some fairy lights for a cosy atmosphere, play classic forró hits by Luiz Gonzaga or Dominguinhos, and invite friends over to dance and enjoy some Brazilian treats like brigadeiros or bolo de milho (corn cake).
If dancing isn’t your thing: No problem! Try other interactive activities that encourage movement and connection, such as a pottery class, painting workshop, or even a group cooking night. The goal is to get out of your routine and socialise, even if it’s just a small group of friends.
Bringing the Spirit of Festas Juninas to the UK
Even though I live far from Brazil, finding ways to adapt festas juninas traditions to my UK winters has helped me stay connected to my roots while creating moments of joy and warmth. Whether you’re dancing forró or simply hosting a cosy gathering with friends, these little traditions can make a big difference.
3. Host a Winter Cooking Night with Friends 🍲👩🍳
Growing up in São Paulo, winter evenings often meant family gatherings where we cooked together. One dish that might surprise you? Yakisoba! São Paulo has a significant Japanese community (the largest outside of Japan), and their culinary traditions have deeply influenced our city. It’s one of the reasons I love making yakisoba with friends—it’s a comforting reminder of home and our multicultural roots.
Why it works:
Cooking together fosters connection, breaks isolation, and gives you something warm and delicious to enjoy at the end.
How to adapt in the UK:
- Host a cooking night where everyone brings an ingredient and you make something together. Try:
- Brazilian classics like canjica or arroz doce (similar to UK rice pudding but with cinnamon).
- International dishes, like homemade pasta from scratch—it’s a fun and rewarding group activity!
4. Chimarrão Ritual: A Social Tea Tradition 🧉☕
Growing up, I knew chimarrão as a traditional drink from southern Brazil, but it’s also deeply rooted in the culture of the Midwest (like Mato Grosso do Sul) and shared by our neighbours in Uruguay and Argentina. It’s more than tea—it’s a ritual of togetherness, where friends and family gather to share stories as they pass around the gourd.
Why it works:
It’s not just the antioxidants or the caffeine boost—it’s the sense of connection and grounding that makes it so special.
How to adapt in the UK:
- Swap chimarrão for English tea, matcha, or any hot drink you love.
- Invite friends over for an informal tea ceremony, or create your own “me time” ritual by lighting a candle and sipping something warm while journaling.
5. Brighten Your Days with a SAD Lamp 💡🌞
One thing I never expected to miss in the UK was sunlight. In Brazil, even during winter, the days are long and bright. Here, the dark mornings and afternoons hit hard, and I realised I needed to do something to counteract the lack of light.
That’s when I discovered SAD lamps. These devices mimic natural sunlight, helping to regulate serotonin levels and improve mood. It’s been a game-changer for me, especially when paired with other comforting rituals.
How to adapt in the UK:
- Place a SAD lamp on your desk or bedside table and use it for 20–30 minutes each morning. Here are some from Amazon:
- Combine it with your tea, chimarrão or leite quentinho for a double mood boost. If you are interest in setting a chimarrão in your house, you can find the utensils here:
Final Thoughts: Bringing Brazilian Warmth to UK Winters
Winter in the UK doesn’t have to feel isolating or grey. By blending Brazilian traditions with your daily life—whether it’s dancing forró, sipping chimarrão, or hosting a cooking night—you can create a season filled with warmth, connection, and joy.
What’s your favourite winter ritual? Share in the comments—I’d love to hear how you’re creating your own cozy moments this season!