A winter book for dreaming. The elegant Baltic seaside resort of Heiligendamm around 1900. A few weeks before Christmas, a young shipwreck survivor is washed ashore. She has forgotten her name and origin, only remembering the significance of the branch of Barbara. She places a branch in a vase and hopes for the return of her memories. When the buds bloom on Christmas Eve, her wish will come true. Her newly found friend Johanna, who is being pressured by her parents to marry quickly, also relies on the old tradition of the Barbara branch. However, she senses that the custom alone will not help her. In the spa town of Baltic seaside resort Heiligendamm, the hotelier family Baabe is preparing for the grand winter ball in 1902. The engagement of daughter Johanna is to be announced with great ceremony, but what she desires most is to finally marry her true love.