Now is the time to deck those halls. And to provide some interiors inspiration, or simply ignite the spirit of the season, The National's festive homes series takes you into some of the most fabulously decorated residences in the UAE.
This week, we take a peek into the Gregory home.
Sparkling reindeer stand guard at the front entrance, making for a warm and whimsical scene that perfectly sets the tone for what to expect within. The living area of the three-bedroom villa in Dubai's Jumeirah Park is dominated by a 2.7-metre tall Christmas tree covered in cheerful red bows. Vying for attention in the same space is a faux fireplace, twinkling white lights and a shelf for Nutcracker figurines.
“As you can see, Christmas is a big deal here,” says Lucy Gregory who lives with her husband, Ian, their three sons, Theo, 8, Rufus, 6, and Baxter, 4, and her mother, Lynda Rutherford. “Growing up, my mum made a big deal about the magic of Christmas. Decorating our tree was the highlight of my year.”
She admits she’s a little Christmas-obsessed. “I spend all year looking for and collecting items, not just in November and December. Christmas is never far from my mind.”
Traditionalist at heart
When it comes to festive decorations, Lucy knows exactly what she wants. “I like the traditional Victorian type of Christmas set-up, especially for the living room, but I try to keep lollipop or Grinch themes in other areas for the children. We usually do different colour schemes in each room, and switch up themes every year.”
This year, the living room is decorated in traditional shades of red and green, stockings are tacked on to the fireplace and a bright red shelf has been built to hold the family’s 20-plus Nutcracker figurines.
"Nutcracker dolls are the epitome of Christmas for me. I try not to go overboard, but if I see a special one I usually try and get it," says Lucy. She says she ordered a few from the UK this year.
Meanwhile, the kitchen is decked out in shades of red and white, while the dining room features silver and white hues – complete with a winter wonderland-themed tablescape. A majestic stag figurine, from Marina Home, takes pride of place on the dining table.
Candy cane land
While the interior is elegance personified, an unexpected theme awaits in the back garden, which is filled with giant candy canes. There are red and white lollipops, and inflatables including Santa Claus, a sleigh with reindeer and polar bears. "It's what I could only describe as a child's dream," says Lucy.
While the family's annual party was cancelled owing to Covid-19 regulations, there's one tradition they still intend on following. "We have our own snow-maker," says Lucy, "so for Christmas, we usually pop it into the garden and let the children run around in it for a bit."
A tree for every child
The back garden is also home to the family's largest tree yet - a 3.6-metre giant, lit with multicoloured lights – taking the number of firs in this villa to seven. Each child in the Gregory household has their very own Christmas tree to decorate – other than those at the entrance and in the living room.
“I obviously like everything to be gorgeous, but when it comes to the children’s trees, I take a step back,” says Lucy. “I give them access to all the decorations and watch as they go wild.”
The joy on their faces is what it is all about, she adds. “Everything I do, I do for family. The idea that they might carry on these traditions, pass it on to their own families someday, is special to me.”
A focus on what’s handmade
Gregory has lived in the UAE for 16 years, while her husband has been here for 20, so most of their decorations have been collected over time, with pieces added every year. New to the house this Christmas is a giant arch in the living room that the family bought second-hand and decorated themselves. There is a focus on handmade goods, a tradition started by Lucy's mother.
“Growing up, my mum had a floristry business, and so she started making wreaths and centrepieces, and we got more experimental from there,” says Lucy.
This year, the duo decided to combine their love for Christmas and handmade decor by launching Dalucy Design, which sells custom-made home displays and wreaths. “We want them to be heirlooms that can be passed through the generations,” says Lucy. “We posted about it on the social media and got more than 100 orders in a few days.”
With an eye for spotting bargains and a knack for creating her own Christmas decorations, Lucy says the cost of doing up their home isn’t exactly exorbitant. “This year, we wouldn’t have spent more than Dh1,000 on it all."
Creating handmade decor is a tradition she's now is trying to pass on to her children. “Every year, we make cookies, Christmas cards, tags for all the presents … it’s not just about creating things, but making memories as a family.”
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Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
'My Son'
Director: Christian Carion
Starring: James McAvoy, Claire Foy, Tom Cullen, Gary Lewis
Rating: 2/5
Zayed Sustainability Prize
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
The years Ramadan fell in May
Specs – Taycan 4S
Engine: Electric
Transmission: 2-speed auto
Power: 571bhp
Torque: 650Nm
Price: Dh431,800
Specs – Panamera
Engine: 3-litre V6 with 100kW electric motor
Transmission: 2-speed auto
Power: 455bhp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: from Dh431,800
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
THE BIO
Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979
Education: UAE University, Al Ain
Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6
Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma
Favourite book: Science and geology
Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC
Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.
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The years Ramadan fell in May
The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
What are the GCSE grade equivalents?
- Grade 9 = above an A*
- Grade 8 = between grades A* and A
- Grade 7 = grade A
- Grade 6 = just above a grade B
- Grade 5 = between grades B and C
- Grade 4 = grade C
- Grade 3 = between grades D and E
- Grade 2 = between grades E and F
- Grade 1 = between grades F and G
Results:
6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-2 (PA) | Group 1 US$75,000 (Dirt) | 2,200 metres
Winner: Goshawke, Fernando Jara (jockey), Ali Rashid Al Raihe (trainer)
7.05pm: UAE 1000 Guineas (TB) | Listed $250,000 (D) | 1,600m
Winner: Silva, Oisin Murphy, Pia Brendt
7.40pm: Meydan Classic Trial (TB) | Conditions $100,000 (Turf) | 1,400m
Winner: Golden Jaguar, Connor Beasley, Ahmad bin Harmash
8.15pm: Al Shindagha Sprint (TB) | Group 3 $200,000 (D) | 1,200m
Winner: Drafted, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson
8.50pm: Handicap (TB) | $175,000 (D) | 1,600m
Winner: Capezzano, Mickael Barzalona, Sandeep Jadhav
9.25pm: Handicap (TB) | $175,000 (T) | 2,000m
Winner: Oasis Charm, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
10pm: Handicap (TB) | $135,000 (T) | 1,600m
Winner: Escalator, Christopher Hayes, Charlie Fellowes
A German university was a good fit for the family budget
Annual fees for the Technical University of Munich - £600
Shared rental accommodation per month depending on the location ranges between £200-600
The family had budgeted for food, books, travel, living expenses - £20,000 annually
Overall costs in Germany are lower than the family estimated
As proof that the student has the ability to take care of expenses, international students must open a blocked account with about £8,640
Students are permitted to withdraw £720 per month
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
BUNDESLIGA FIXTURES
Saturday
Borussia Dortmund v Eintracht Frankfurt (5.30pm kick-off UAE)
Bayer Leverkusen v Schalke (5.30pm)
Wolfsburg v Cologne (5.30pm)
Mainz v Arminia Bielefeld (5.30pm)
Augsburg v Hoffenheim (5.30pm)
RB Leipzig v Bayern Munich (8.30pm)
Borussia Monchengladbach v Freiburg (10.30pm)
Sunday
VfB Stuttgart v Werder Bremen (5.30pm)
Union Berlin v Hertha Berlin (8pm)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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The specs
Engine: four-litre V6 and 3.5-litre V6 twin-turbo
Transmission: six-speed and 10-speed
Power: 271 and 409 horsepower
Torque: 385 and 650Nm
Price: from Dh229,900 to Dh355,000
Awar Qalb
Director: Jamal Salem
Starring: Abdulla Zaid, Joma Ali, Neven Madi and Khadija Sleiman
Two stars
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
