Now that the American Thanksgiving is around the corner and all the stores are already full with Christmas decorations for sale I start thinking again of my holidays in Cuba, the family, my childhood altogether with the present time.
Thanksgiving or “Acción de Gracias” was never celebrated when I was growing up. Some other American holidays like Mother’s and Father’s day were taken from the American influence in Cuba and remained a very important day in Cuban culture. We do not even celebrate the Spanish dates but the American dates.
On the other hand, Christmas (Navidad) was never officially celebrated after 1959 and until John Paul II visited Cuba in 1998 and declared December, 25th a national holiday we never had the Xmas Day off. The end of the year was always a blend of “celebrating the new year that begins and another year since the Triumph of Revolution”.
My most memorable story about Christmas time in Havana is that one of my dad making a Christmas tree for me out of a strong cactus-like tree we had at home. When I was in primary school, you could not find any kind of Xmas lights or decorations at the stores. Nothing. Since I wanted a tree so bad he took regular light bulbs and painted them in different colours, connected the bulbs to a cable and wrapped it around the pot tree. I was so happy with that invention! The tree was in the balcony and I could see the lights from my bedroom window, before going to sleep.
I wish I could have a picture of that first Xmas tree. That was one of thousands of things I recall  growing up that made me feel loved. Isn’t that what Xmas is all about? At that time I did not expect any presents and I think most of the kids I knew either.
The communist Havana of the 80’s and beginning of 90’s was nothing like today, where still the selection is very limited and poor but they sell some overpriced Xmas articles. Once my dad started travelling to Canada in early 90’s, due of his work, he bought me a huge artificial tree that lasted many years with lights, colourful balls, silver chains, ribbons and all ornaments possible. I bet that some of these original pieces are still at home and have been reused twenty times.
For some reason I quickly stopped feeling excited about Xmas time. Being a teenager I enjoyed spending time with the family, eating (specially the turrones), dancing, but that was all. Even in the present I enjoy the time off, the party, the get together, but  I get a bit annoyed when I HAVE to buy presents and follow all the traditions. Some people start buying cards and presents for the whole family a month before. Those who have large families get stressed out making lists trying to  figure out who wants what. The stores get full with anxious people running around, not realizing that they are forgetting the real meaning of family and the celebration.
Maybe in the future, once the kids arrive, having a perfect tree will be important again. I will definitely try not to get my children so connected with the material side of Christmas. I know it is a hard thing to do in the world of today. I will possibly encourage a balance between my experience growing up and my Xmas experiences outside Cuba.
