We had the tree and the presents, but Christmas tradition is also a little different in Cuban culture. For us, Santa didn’t bring the presents, they were brought by the Three Wise Men on epiphany day, which usually falls some time in January or February.

For Cubans, the big holiday is Noche Buena, or Good Night, or what Anglos call Christmas Eve. Noche Buena is all about food and family, not religion, and in Cuban culture is often celebrated with a killer outdoor afternoon pig roast — lechon asado. In the evening, after the meal has digested, the grown-ups dress up and go out for a night of dancing, drinking and serious partying. Those that are so inclined try to make it to misa de gallo (literally, “rooster Mass”) at sunrise, although Cubans aren’t particularly devout Catholics, The RC Church got a bad rep in Cuba because it sided with the Spanish Crown, not the Patriots, during the War of Independence. Most of the celebrants are too hung over by sunrise anyway. Christmas day is for napping, leftovers and recovery. Christmas is not primarily a religious holiday, in spite of its religious origins.

And the kids get off on it, too. Not that I care much for them, either. Still, I used to be one, and I enjoyed Christmas too, so I don’t begrudge them the presents, the tree, the carols, and Santa and the rest of the drill.

Winter solstice festivals used to be pagan holidays, but the early Christians were smart enough to make it their day too, so I am willing to go along with that. Merry Christmas, however you choose, or choose not, to celebrate it.

But look out for the New Year. I think 2018 is going to be a bitch.,