Holiday Spotlight: Cuban Christmas Traditions
While winter holidays are cozy, chilly, relaxing times for many, Christmas traditions with Cubans is anything but a silent night. Many families will go out of town to their home countries to visit family or have the whole family come to see them. Here are some traditions we celebrate in my Cuban family in South Florida.
Clean, Clean, and Clean Again
You would think that Cuban moms and abuelas think we live in filth. If it is your turn to host this year, beware of the cleaning duties. You will have to clean things you have never thought of cleaning all throughout December. You may have to clean it twice. Bathroom essentials such as toothbrushes and topical medicines are not allowed to be seen. It must be good enough for the Three Kings and Santa. Otherwise, they won’t bring gifts.
Navigating Nativity Scenes
Most Hispanics identify as Christian. Cubans are predominantly Catholic, and we love our nativity sets. The bigger the better. Every year my parents must decide what room to flip around to accommodate the whole nativity scene, shepherds and all. There also might be a Baby Jesus in a manger somewhere special in the house. It is usually covered during Advent, the liturgical season before Christmas, to show that Christ has not come yet. In my house, my mom bought a bunch of straw from a craft store and had us put it in the manger whenever we did a good deed.
Chaotic Calendars
As multiple Christmas celebrations fill up the calendar, sometimes it feels more like Hanukah. With all the extended family that Cubans have, it is literally a fire hazard to put everyone together. You must separate everyone into their different subsets. Each of the four grandparents may have a party for that side of the family. And if you want to see any friends during the Christmas season, plan way ahead because the calendar fills up quickly. Oh, and don’t forget about St. Nicholas Day or Three Kings Day!
Time for Cake
So now that we can unwrap Jesus and have him presented in the manger, we must celebrate! Among the various foods and desserts eaten during Christmas, a birthday cake is essential. All the little kids will gather around the cake with a few candles, and everyone sings happy birthday to Jesus as loud as they can. I think it is adorable and is a sweet reminder to us all what this holiday is about.
Cuban Christmas Trees
Most will buy Christmas trees and have one in their homes. In addition, many Cubans decorate the palm trees outside their homes by wrapping Christmas lights all around the slender trunks of the trees. Driving in South Florida during Christmas time is extra bright.
I wouldn’t trade my crazy Cuban family for anything. No one loves, laughs, drinks, prays, or parties as much as Cubans do. They have the best work, life, family balance I have ever seen. They are strict and have high standards, but also high stamina. They love each other and love Jesus like no one else. If you want a Christmas full of food and fun, join the crowded, clamorous Cubans.
¡Feliz Navidad!
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About the author
Ana Cooper
Ana Cooper is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Miami Dade College and hopes to someday work in the labor and delivery ward at a hospital or a birthing center. She is also interested pursuing research in fertility and nutrition. In her free time, she enjoys sewing, crafting, watching movies, dancing, and playing the piano. Being homeschooled her whole life, Ana has developed a love of learning and a passion to share that with others. She continues to work on her small business in making t-shirt quilts, maintaining a high academic standing, and is a Pearson Campus Ambassador at Miami Dade College.
