Putting up festive decor is half the fun of the holiday season and some UAE residents have gone above and beyond to get their homes in shipshape in time for Christmas.
From DIY hot chocolate stations and miniature ornamental collections to Santa Claus-themed tablescaping and imported trees, scroll through the gallery above for a look at some of the best-decorated homes.
This year is all the more special for many, as it signifies a reunion with family and friends, after a hiatus in 2020 owing to the coronavirus pandemic.
Elaine Wolfenden, who has lived in the UAE for 23 years, says she has gone all out this year with the bedroom of her grandson, 6, as a surprise since he’s visiting for Christmas.
“I’ve tried to see it through a child’s eyes,” she says of the festive decorations that feature stuffed toys and twinkle lights, plus a Christmas tree by the television in the living area.
Jinna Cabel DeLa Roca, a stay-at-home mum of two, has created a miniature winter wonderland in her home in Abu Dhabi.
“I dream of spending a Christmas with real snow and pine trees with my family someday. I guess, it’s everybody’s dream considering we don’t have snow back home in the Philippines. For us, spending Christmas with family is what makes it more meaningful.
“The miniature collection is my own Christmas village. I’d love to get my children to spend Christmas in Lapland someday. For now, we will enjoy it here in our small home in Al Reem,” she says.
Decking up the house for loved ones seems to be a common theme. Janet Manning Waite, an interior designer, has created a “land of sweets” complete with a themed pastel Christmas tree, with her granddaughters in mind.
Other decorations in her Umm Suqeim home include a blue and white “dashing through the midnight snow”-themed tablescape, and a ginger and peppermint tree featuring a turquoise twist.
“I am passionate about Christmas decor, and spend hours researching and planning and shopping for each theme. I love how it all turned out this year,” she says.
She isn’t alone in meticulously planning seasonal decoration. Liesje Korff, who lives in Dubai’s Trade Centre 1 area, has been building her collection for about a decade now.
“I go for a romantic, delicate feminine theme – the same every year. Most of the decorations come from the UK.”
Korff is particularly fussy about her Christmas tree, she says. This year, she’s got a Nordmann Fir Prima, imported from the Netherlands, where she is from.
“They need to have the perfect shape, especially the crown, with several levels so I can hang silver chain baubles.”
On the topic of going all-out for Christmas, Lucy Gregory, whose house was featured in The National last year for its creative candy cane backyard and snowmaker, has done it again this Christmas. This year, the family have changed everything up, with a gold-themed backyard and candy cane entrance.
The mother of three says decorating the tree is a “highlight of the year.”
“I spend all year looking for and collecting items, not just in November and December. Christmas is never far from my mind.”
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Getting there
Flydubai flies direct from Dubai to Tbilisi from Dh1,025 return including taxes
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
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Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
Emirates Red Crescent
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Noor Dubai Foundation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
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