Amidst hardships and dreams, a Cuban woman touches hearts as she decorates her small Christmas tree: "I am alive."



A Cuban woman celebrates Christmas by decorating a tree with a friend, highlighting the importance of family and hope amid the crisis in Cuba. Her gesture moves and inspires people on social media.

Cuban on the islandPhoto © @dra_borroto / TikTok

Despite the fact that Christmas is not widely celebrated in Cuba—and that for decades it was a date silenced by the communist regime—a Cuban woman has chosen to keep the Christmas spirit alive in her home by decorating a small tree with a friend and sharing the heartfelt moment on social media.

"I live in Cuba and I do celebrate Christmas. I celebrate being alive, having health, having my family with me, all together, with hopes of moving forward and dreaming of a reunion," said the Cuban user @dra_borroto in a video posted on TikTok.

In the images, she is seen joyfully placing lights and decorations on a small Christmas tree, accompanied by an older woman who helps her with the finishing touches.

"Maybe it’s not with a luxurious dinner or little gifts under the tree, but at least this year I have this lovely little tree, with all its decorations. I felt like a little girl decorating it," she confessed with laughter.

The young woman thanked one of her patients for gifting her the little tree and helping her decorate it: “Thank you so much, my dear, for this beautiful gift. I wish you all a Merry Christmas.”

The gesture, simple yet full of significance, has touched hundreds of Cuban users both on and off the island, who highlighted its message of hope amid the crisis the country is experiencing.

In a context marked by blackouts, shortages, and social disillusionment, the Cuban wanted to remind us that, even amid the hardships, celebrating life and family unity remains a sufficient reason to smile.

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Yare Grau

Originally from Cuba, but living in Spain. I studied Social Communication at the University of Havana and later graduated in Audiovisual Communication from the University of Valencia. I am currently part of the CiberCuba team as an editor in the Entertainment section.