Source: Freepik Author: Redaction The Christmas season in Portugal is marked by the organisation of various events from the north to the south of the country and the islands. From handicrafts to clothes, accessories and regional products, SUPERCASA Notícias shows you which Christmas markets you cant miss this year. Wonderland Lisbon Taking place in Parque Eduardo VII between 30 November and 1 January 2024 , Wonderland Lisboa is the most famous Christmas fair in the Portuguese capital, with attractions such as the ecological Ice Rink, the giant Christmas Tree, the Ferris Wheel and Trampolines, the Christmas Train and a Village for the little ones to enjoy. Not forgetting the Christmas Market , which is characteristic of this event, where you can find handicrafts, regional products, clothes, accessories and sweets . Rossio Christmas Market In Baixa-Chiado , between 18 November and 21 December, you can stroll around and enjoy the Christmas spirit at the Rossio Christmas Market. This year, the Rossio square will be decorated with special lighting and there will be twice as many wooden houses as usual, where you can explore the handicrafts and traditional flavours of our gastronomy . At this free event , you can also visit the Dolls Hospital Christmas Exhibition and the Christmas Train , or watch performances by folklore groups, academic tunas and philharmonic bands . Óbidos Christmas Village From 30 November to 31 December , the Christmas Village takes place in the town of Óbidos , with the theme of the Sorcerers School . During this event you can visit Santas House, shows, games, ice rinks and inflatables , with enough entertainment for all members of the family. This edition has put a lot into the programme, so that you can immerse yourself in your surroundings and experience a blanket of artificial snow and new activities such as the Potions Laboratory, Herbology or the Giants House . Coimbra Christmas Market This initiative by the Union of Parishes of Coimbra, in co-organisation with Coimbra City Council, will take place between 1 and 23 December in Praça do Comércio . The event will feature 34 craft and gastronomy exhibitors , as well as a stage that will host musical and other performances dedicated to the festive season . World of Wine Christmas Market Taking place between 25 November and 7 January in Vila Nova de Gaia , you can visit the Christmas markets where you can find ceramics, glass, wood, textiles, jewellery, toys, Christmas decorations and much more. Porto Christmas Market This is one of the most beautiful and traditional markets in Europe, taking place in the Jardins do palácio de cristal between 1 and 24 December . This is an excellent opportunity to explore the Cidade Invicta and enjoy the Christmas spirit amid lights, music, decorated trees and wooden houses where you can find a variety of national products . Guimarães, Christmas Town From 1 December to 7 January , the Christmas market kicks off in the city of Guimarães at Largo Condessa do Juncal . In addition to the market, you can also watch circus entertainment, plays and puppet theatre . Funchal Christmas Market Christmas in Funchal is divided into 12 different events between 23 November and 6 January. The programme begins with the Magic of Christmas in the Market where the decorative lighting will be inaugurated with musical entertainment. During this period you can enjoy an ice rink, visit the Christmas Village, the Ecological Nativity Scene and the musical comedy The Journey of the Wise Queens , among other events. Find out more about this and other topics in SUPERCASA Notícias
Source: Freepik Author: Redaction December is already here and with it come the preparations for the Christmas season , such as family and friends Christmas dinners and the search for presents to give to those closest to you. Finding the perfect gift is a complicated task. Surely youve been thinking about gifts for some of your family members for some time, but we all have that one demanding friend or family member who makes you spend more time looking for the ideal item. To avoid wasting time on endless searches in stores and on websites, which most of the time dont produce the desired result, SUPERCASA Notícias has put together a list of gifts that will complement your friends homes , so that you can give them something this Christmas that will be useful and appreciated. 1. Personalized objects If you dont have any ideas for a special gift, one option you could consider is personalized utensils , which not only dont cost much, but are also a unique and personal object that your friends will appreciate, and which you can also take the opportunity to play a little game with. Some examples are: Mugs; Key rings; Photo frames, personalized images or phrases; Slippers; Candles; Aprons. Take advantage of these everyday objects and turn them into something special, where you can put photos of yourself, your friends or something important to them, or choose a phrase or drawing that you know will be a hit. 2. Warmth and comfort Winter hasnt arrived yet, but the cold is already being felt in our country, especially at this time of year, which leads us to spend more moments relaxing by the fireplace with a mug of their favorite drink. As such, you can always choose to gift small appliances or heating elements that will warm up your loved ones days: Blankets; Hot water bags; Wool socks; Heater or fan heater; Coffee machine. The great thing about these suggestions is that you can find several options at affordable prices, but you can also choose to spend a little more and buy something that will be very useful in this colder season. 3. Technology Nowadays, the most requested gifts belong to the technological world , such as computers and cell phones , however, this type of gift requires a larger investment that not everyone is willing to make. This doesnt mean you have to give up offering something to technology lovers, but you can opt for more affordable solutions , such as: Laptop stand; Computer accessories (mouse, keyboard, etc.); Music speaker; Voice assistant (alexa, siri, etc.); Headphones; Powerbank; Cable organizer. 4. Cooking Do your friends like to cook? There are several kitchen essentials you can give them to make their lives easier . If you have a more flexible budget, you could choose an appliance such as a food processor, air fryer or blender. If you dont want to make such a big investment, here are some suggestions that would certainly complement your friends kitchen in the best way: Cookbook; Cake stand; Automatic corkscrew; Salt and pepper shakers; Pots and coasters. 5. Decoration Not least, consider investing in decorative items to brighten up your friends homes . In this respect, you always need to be extra careful, as your personal taste may differ from that of your friends, so it is advisable to offer a decorative item if you know the preferences of the person you are offering it to. Some decoration options are: Candles, incense sticks, candlesticks and other aromatic elements; Vases, baskets and jars; Mirrors; Clocks; Wall decorations. SUPERCASA Notícias hopes you make the right choice and wishes you a Merry Christmas! Keep following our news and live this festive season to the full.
Source: Freepik Author: Redaction Black Friday officially kicks off this weekend , although there are already a number of promotional activities and campaigns taking place during this period of the year. These can be a lure for the more curious, who tend to want to take advantage of the moment to make some investments and save money, even if this is often not the case. There are promotions that, although advantageous, arent that worthwhile, and its important to consider and pay attention to the conditions of the promotion. If youre planning to take advantage of the Black Friday discounts and still keep your spending under control, SUPERCASA Notícias has put together some tips that can help you make good purchases in a considered and intelligent way, without exceeding your budget and incurring losses. Grab a notepad and jot down some of our suggestions so that on 24 November, when Black Friday officially opens, you can go prepared to make the best decisions. Prepare your purchases in advance This advice is valid for any time of year, not just Black Friday. Its essential that you know exactly where youre going, what youre looking for, the amount you want to spend and information about the products you want to buy. This will not only save you time and resources, but will also prepare you for more conscious choices . Its important to define your goals: do you want to buy clothes, electrical appliances, books or other items? Define these goals and prepare a list of the items youre missing . In this way, youll be assertive and get a better idea of your needs when shopping, which is often confusing and distracting. Search the various retailers, compare prices, draw up a wish list and look for additional information about the products. Black Friday isnt always a thoughtful time when it comes to choosing products, especially when youre actually shopping, so its important that you set these goals before you even enter the shops, thinking about what your objectives are and avoiding going overboard. Go shopping early Next Friday, if you go into a shop in the middle of the afternoon, you probably wont find the best deals. This is because there is a huge influx of shoppers at this time of year. So if youre confident that youll find exactly what you want, we recommend lowering your expectations, because many people will think exactly like you, and possibly find every way to grab your most desired goods. To increase your chances of still finding the best deals available, the best quality and the best prices, go early. Whats more, start looking a few days in advance, ideally starting your visits to the shops in the period were currently showing you this article, because many shops are anticipating discounts, and if you really want to find the best investments, its essential to be on top of things . Go to the shops a few days beforehand, check out the prices and make your own judgements. Find out about purchase and return policies and be cautious Its very easy to fall into the temptation to buy just because an advert has caught your eye or because the marketing for that product has had the desired effect, leading you to think you need something when, in fact, thats not the case . Its important not to be dazzled by everything you see, which is also why its important to prepare in advance by making a list of the things you really need . Pay attention to returns policies, especially if youre the kind of person who likes impulse buys, because it will be a big inconvenience if you regret something you buy and then theres no option to return or exchange it. So, before you make a purchase, make sure you can exchange or return it, and find out about deadlines and guarantees , because it may not only be impulse purchases that require you to exchange or return an item: there may be malfunctions, breakdowns, missing equipment or other defects and problems that force you to take this step, so you should safeguard yourself by always knowing the conditions for doing so. And keep receipts and invoices, as you may need them in the future . Did you know, for example, that if you buy online, you can return the item within 14 days? This is something that isnt always possible in a physical shop, as there is no obligation on the part of the retailer to accept returns that arent justified on the grounds of a defect, for example. All these details are important, and its crucial that you protect your rights. Read more articles like this in SUPERCASA Notícias , and discover Tips for saving on presents this Christmas
Source: Freepik Author: Redaction The second phase of the Vale Eficiência Programme will open its applications on Monday 20th November to all economically vulnerable families who want to improve the conditions of their homes in terms of energy efficiency. The programme, which has a total budget of 130 million euros, has allocated 104 million euros to this second phase. Beneficiaries of the Efficiency Voucher Scheme can receive up to three vouchers worth 1,300 euros , totalling 3,900 euros, which can be used to install and improve housing conditions involving energy efficiency, such as installing efficient windows, sanitary water systems, heating and/or cooling systems, or photovoltaic systems. Only equipment with a minimum energy rating of A or higher is eligible. Applicants who meet the eligibility requirements can apply for the programme, which involves being a beneficiary of the social electricity tariff (TSEE) or a beneficiary of support from the Bilha Solidária programme. In addition, you must be the owner, usufructuary or tenant permanently residing in the home with which you are applying for the Voucher. How can I apply to the Vale Efficiency Programme? If you are eligible and meet all the requirements mentioned above, you can apply online exclusively using the form available on the Environmental Fund website from next Monday, 20 November. Applications close on 31 October next year or when there is no more available funding to apply. Follow this and other topics in SUPERCASA Notícias
Source: Freepik Author: Redaction The INE (National Statistics Institute) released Portugals demographic statistics for 2022 on Thursday 16 November. According to the figures presented by the statistical office, the resident population in Portugal last year was around 10,467,366 people , representing an increase of 46,249 inhabitants compared to 2021. The number of live births was 83,671, with the Synthetic Fertility Index increasing to 1.43 children per woman , compared to 1.35 in 2021 and, as far as the average age of women at the birth of a child is concerned, it stood at 31.7 years, very close to the 31.8 years recorded in 2021. On the other hand, for first births, the average age of women stood at 30.3 years, 0.1 percentage points higher than in 2021. The number of deaths was 0.4 per cent lower than in 2021 , at 124,311, and the number of infant deaths in 2022 was 24 (217) more than in 2021. The Infant Mortality Rate thus increased to 2.6 deaths per thousand live births. There were more marriages in Portugal last year The number of marriages in Portugal increased by 27.2 per cent in 2022 , with 36,952 marriages taking place. The average age of first marriage stood at 35.1 for men and 33.7 for women, having increased compared to 2021. On the other hand, the number of marriages dissolved by death fell by 1.4 per cent compared to 2021 , with 678 fewer marriages registered, while the number of divorces rose by 6.9 per cent, 1,185 more than in 2021. The average age of divorced men was 49.1 years and 46.7 years for divorced women. Number of foreigners acquiring Portuguese nationality fell According to INE, it is estimated that 117,843 permanent immigrants entered Portugal in 2022, 21.3 per cent more than in 2021. On the other hand, 30,954 permanent emigrants left, also a figure 23.4 per cent higher than in 2021. However, for the sixth year running, the migration balance was positive. As for the foreigners who acquired Portuguese nationality in 2022, there were 46,229, a figure 15.2 per cent lower than in 2021. Continue reading: Foreign investment grew by almost 68 per cent in Porto
Source: Freepik Author: Redaction The ministers responsible for housing in the European Union approved a declaration on Tuesday 14 November in which they advocated a debate on local accommodation with the aim of finding common regulatory instruments. The ministers met in Gijón, Spain, where, at the end of the meeting, the Portuguese Minister for Housing, Marina Gonçalves, explained that there was a wide-ranging discussion on the issue of local accommodation, the question, in essence, of a market that must, in the immediate future, be regulated (...) or adapted to the needs of the population. Marina Gonçalves emphasises that there is a common position among European ministers on the need to hold this discussion with the European Commission . According to her, its essential that this debate be held at European level in order to find common measures to balance the housing sector. The continuity of local accommodation is not in question , the housing minister stresses that the debate will focus on what to do in the places where this sector causes the most pressure, with the possibility of being regulated and adapted to housing needs by prioritising them. During the meeting, the inclusion of housing investment in the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR) was also mentioned, and sources of funding and continued investment in public housing were discussed . In the declaration signed in Gijón last Tuesday, EU ministers pledge to continue working to ensure access to decent and adequate housing , recognising that the lack of housing, together with the growing shortage of affordable housing, prevents European citizens from accessing a home . One of the EU ministers biggest concerns is the increase in homelessness in most member states over the last decade. According to the latest Eurostat figures, 8.7 per cent of the EU population spend more than 40 per cent of their income on housing, and collaboration between all levels of government is needed to respond to the crisis, the ministers said. Read also: The Rent to Sublet programme has already received 1,054 applications and Portugal is following the international trend in real estate
Source: Freepik Author: Redaction Last Wednesday, 8 November, the winning project in the international competition for the redevelopment of Martim Moniz Square was unveiled , and will be approved at a town hall meeting on 22 November. The project by the FC Arquitetura Paisagista studio, headed by Filipa Cardoso de Menezes and Catarina Assis Pacheco, was chosen out of 21 proposals and aims to transform the square into a huge green space , highlighted by the construction of an amphitheatre and a pedestrian extension, open to the surroundings of the Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Saúde, in place of the road traffic. The proposed intervention is therefore to create a large green space, which will recover the productive vocation that once existed there - when a large part of the square was filled with agricultural land. Proposing a new garden and undoing the barren island was born with the design of a retaining wall, founded on the existing car park slab. This old-new wall will be given a contemporary function, far beyond highlighting the historical heritage: it will be the element that allows the land to rise and support a wide and deep platform of living soil, capable of creating a bioclimatic space that will serve the city, the project reads. For the construction of the pedestrianised route, the pair of landscapers propose that cars, buses, trams and bicycles coming from Rua da Palma should only circulate on the opposite side, on a new two-way cycle path that will connect to the one on Avenida Almirante Reis. To do this, an oval roundabout will have to be built to the south to guarantee traffic flow and the possibility of reversing. Public transport stops and terminals will also have to be concentrated here, creating a clear division between the space for pedestrians and the traffic lanes. Keep up to date with everything thats happening in Portugal with SUPERCASA news!
Source: Freepik Author: Redaction Approved on 11 October, the Lisbon Municipal Housing Charter is now in public consultation until 2 February 2024, with the aim of receiving input from citizens before it is definitively approved , the Lisbon City Council announced. The main focus of the document is to increase and improve the supply of public, partnership and private housing, reduce asymmetries in access to housing and regenerate the forgotten city , explains the municipality in a statement. To this end, strategies will be created to implement municipal housing policies over the next 10 years, with a planned investment of 918 million euros. The proposal provides fo r three specific intervention maps, namely: An area of housing potential on public property; Housing priority zones; Prioritised regeneration habitats. Of these, the following are prioritised for action: Increasing and improving the supply of housing: municipal, partnership and private, through 17 specific measures; Reducing asymmetries in access to housing, through 10 measures for greater access; Regenerating the forgotten city, with 7 specific measures defined. The Charter is the municipal planning and land-use instrument for housing, which establishes the priorities and targets for housing policy over the next decade, says the Lisbon City Council statement, emphasising that the document is innovative, as it provides for an annual assessment of its implementation using concrete indicators. The document is available for consultation on the municipalitys official website and in hard copy at Lojas Lisboa. Follow this and other topics in SUPERCASA Notícias
Source: Freepik Author: Redaction This Tuesday, 31 October, is World Savings Day , created with the aim of alerting consumers to the need to manage spending and save part of their income in order to ensure individual financial balance. In the current context, with the rising cost of living and the various financial difficulties experienced in the wake of rising inflation, saving money is a challenge for many families. SUPERCASA Notícias therefore presents you with a strategy you can use to save money every week for a year: the 52-week challenge. How does it work? As you know, each year has 52 weeks, which means that if you put some money aside every week, youll reach the end of the year with significant savings. In this challenge, the idea is to match the amount you put aside with the week of the year and increase it every week. In other words, you start the first week of the year with a saving of one euro. The following week, it increases to two euros, the third week it increases to three, and it continues to increase consecutively until the last week of the year, when you have to put aside 52 euros. At the end of the year, if youve completed all the weeks, youll have a total of 1,387 euros. This is a simple and gradual way of implementing the savings habit , which is within anyones reach. Remember, however, that although its easy at first, as the challenge progresses, the amount increases and it can be difficult to remain consistent at the end of the challenge. If you cant afford to put that much money aside, you can choose to make a gradual increase of 0.50 euros each week, which will mean a saving of 689 euros at the end of the year. On the subject of saving money, read also: 12 ways to cut costs in your monthly budget
Source: Freepik Author: Redaction In exactly one weeks time, remember to update your clocks, because winter time is coming! In the week leading up to the changeover, start getting used to shorter days, getting up in the morning while its still dark and cooler temperatures, all of which come before winter begins in November. This is the ideal time of year to enjoy the comfort of your home, which you should prepare not only for your comfort, in terms of textile complements such as blankets, rugs or warmer sheets, but also for the usual hardships of winter , such as damp, mould and the normal weather of the season, such as rain and big storms. So, next Saturday, from the 28th to the 29th, Sunday, youll have to turn the hands of your watch backwards, delaying the hour . The truth is that you probably wont have to do this manually on most of your electronic devices, which set it back automatically. So, at dawn on Saturday, when you look at your watch, if it has already changed automatically, 2am will become 1am , which means that 29 October will have 25 hours instead of the usual 24. In the Azores, this change only takes place at 1am on 29 October, delayed to midnight due to their different time zone. SUPERCASA leaves you with some quick tips to prepare for the change to winter time: Make the most of sunlight during the day to keep your home well ventilated and lit, avoiding the proliferation of damp. Replace your summer textiles with warmer, cosier colours so that you feel in perfect harmony with your home. Seal doors and windows and close them tightly on rainy or stormy days. Choose sustainable heating systems that keep your home warm and cosy. Keep up to date with these and other suggestions in SUPERCASA Notícias
Source: Freepik Author: Redaction The European Commission announced this Friday that Lisbon is one of the three finalist cities for the title of European Capital of Innovation , alongside Lviv (Ukraine) and Warsaw (Poland). This distinction is supported by the European Innovation Council and seeks to recognise the cities that best promote innovation in their communities. In a statement, the European Commission said that it recognises the role that cities play in shaping the local innovation ecosystem and promoting breakthrough innovations , in line with the objectives of the New European Innovation Agenda . The [city councils] application is committed to the goal of consolidating Lisbon as a Unicorn Factory, the flagship for innovation defined by Carlos Moedas, says the city council. It was precisely under the theme Lisbon Unicorn Capital that the municipality presented a dossier to the European jury, describing the work it has done so far in the city. In September, the European Commission had already announced Lisbons presence in the group of semi-finalists. The final selection was made through a process of remote interviews conducted by Brussels. The winner will be announced on 27 November at an awards ceremony to be held in Marseille, the last city to win this award. In addition to the title, the winner will also receive a prize of 1 million euros . The two runners-up will receive 100,000 euros each. Carlos Moedas, Mayor of Lisbon, commented on the achievement, saying: We are capable of being the best in many areas and we must fulfil our ambition. Thats what weve been doing without fear. Innovation is fundamental to the growth, competitiveness and development of our society. Being part of this selection by the European Commission is proof and recognition of the intense work that has been done to be at the forefront and place Lisbon as a city of innovation , concludes Carlos Moedas. Other topics that may be of interest to you: AL data confirms tourism growth in Portugal , Housing licences to be accelerated with new diploma
Source: Freepik Author: Redaction The environment is increasingly a concern, but are companies as sustainable as they claim to be, or are we looking at cases of greenwashing? These days, being environmentally friendly is good for business. However, not all the environmental information provided is what it seems and it is important to understand whether sustainable products, practices and policies really are. After all, what is greenwashing? A study by Pew Research, cited by the IMB Institute for Business Value (IBV), reveals that 72% of consumers in 17 developed countries are concerned about climate change and its impact at some point in their lives. Another IBV report, from 2021, shows that more than 90% of global consumers consider sustainability as a factor when choosing a brand. This growing concern for sustainability on the part of consumers has led several companies to establish environmental policies in order to maintain their reputation and meet the expectations of consumers , who are even willing to pay more for the sake of the environment. Greenwashing happens when a company or organization tries to convey an image of sustainability when, in practice, they know they have a negative environmental impact. In other words, greenwashing is a form of disinformation often used to attract consumers. Examples of greenwashing Products with seals or logos created by brands without any environmental certification ; Use of expressions such as sustainable or zero carbon without an explanation supported by scientific evidence ; Using the term biodegradable for a product that is not; Claiming that a product is recyclable without specifying whether the product, the packaging or both are made from recycled material. The European Commission (EC), in collaboration with national consumer protection authorities, has for the first time carried out an analysis of websites with the aim of identifying violations of consumer rights in online stores. According to the EC, the consumer protection bodies involved in the analysis believe that 42% of sustainability claims were exaggerated, false or misleading. How can consumers identify and protect themselves from greenwashing? When researching a particular product, it is important to check whether there are descriptions that specifically define what makes that product sustainable , as well as certifications issued by independent organizations or European certificates . These types of certifications are awarded to tourist accommodation, for example, as a way of making sure that the product or service is in fact sustainable. Follow this and other topics in SUPERCASA Notícias
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