As hurricane recovery continues, Puerto Rico prepares for Christmas

Christmas trees are beloved in Puerto Rico. Their glowing lights and decorations have long been central to celebrations on the island this time of year. 

But in the wake of Hurricane Maria, the price of imported trees has tripled to about $150  — out of reach for many middle-class residents. 

"They're scarce and the prices are very high," says blogger and marketing executive Edmaris Carazo. "It doesn't feel right to invest $200 on a tree when so many people don't have electricity." 

The suffering is greater for Puerto Ricans in rural areas, three months after the devastating Category 4 storm. "There are still people living across rivers, and supplies cannot get there, not to mention people there still without meals," Carazo says.

Nine of Puerto Rico's 78 municipalities still lack power three months after Maria slammed the island. Officials now say it may take until May to have full power restored.

That's not the only seasonal fallout from the storm. Supplies are short for typical holiday dishes like arroz con gandules, rice made with pigeon peas and pork. Hurricane Maria all but wiped out the pigeon pea harvest.  Plantains are difficult to find, as are pasteles, a type of tamale made with traditional ingredients. 

Extended families are smaller this year, as well. Carazo says her two nieces have already upped stakes and relocated to Florida and North Carolina.  

"You feel guilty to put some (holiday) lights on or to be celebrating Christmas when there's so many people who don't  even have a regular dinner every day," she says. "Luckily I do have electricity, so this year I'm going to have more people than ever at my home." 

A previous version of this story misspelled Edmaris Carazo's name.