Your Christmas questions answered
Where can I get a Christmas tree and decorations?
Bigger branches of Spinneys stock real fir trees, but, unfortunately, they’re not cheap (around the Dhs500 mark) and then there’s all that clearing up of pine needles afterwards. Therefore, we’d recommend heading to Ikea at Marina Mall (02 681 2228), Home Centre on Hamdan Street (02 639 1918) or Marks & Spencer on Airport Road (02 621 3646), all of which stock good quality fake trees in a variety of sizes, as well as well-priced baubles, tinsel and other glittery knick-knacks.
When should I post my gifts and cards?
If you’re sending stuff to friends within the UAE, give it at least two days. But given the seasonal influx of mail in places where Christmas is a big deal (not to mention the distance), you’re looking at two weeks to get gifts back to Europe and Australia, and longer to the US and beyond. If you’ve just glanced at the calendar and realised that the numbers don’t quite add up, give Abu Dhabi Central Post Office a call on 02 621 1611 and see if one of their express services can save your skin.
Where can I get some snow?
For some, Christmas just isn’t the same without a touch of the chilly stuff, but, luckily, you needn’t fly as far as you’d think to frolic in the snow. Beirut boasts five ski resorts within close reach, while there are also pistes to be torn up in Iran, Cyprus, Kazakhstan and India. For frosty pursuits closer to home, there’s ice-skating at Marina Mall or you can enjoy a slightly surreal day on the slopes at Ski Dubai (www.skidxb.com) – the largest indoor ski slope in the world.
Where can I go to catch some Boxing Day sport?
Just as Christmas Day is traditionally spent eating, drinking and playing Scrabble with obscure family members, Boxing Day is the time for eating, drinking and watching sport on TV. And while some fools choose to cram themselves into the freezing stadium terraces, you can get your fill of Premier League action courtesy of the city’s ever-obliging sports bars. Heroes at the Crowne Plaza on Hamdan Street (02 621 0000) is a good option, with games screened throughout the day. At the other end of town, Taverna at the Armed Forces Officer’s Club (02 441 5900) boasts some of the biggest screens we’ve ever seen. All you need to do is grab a pie, charge your glass and get comfy.
How can I make a video call to the family and sing ‘Jingle Bells’ at them?
Stuck in the desert for Christmas? Fancy waving at friends and family abroad and checking out all that delicious festive grub you’re missing out on? Really? Skype may still be blocked here in the UAE, but the video option in Google chat is every bit as good. All you need is a computer with a webcam and a Gmail email address, which you can get for free from www.gmail.com. Just try not to salivate over your keyboard as your auntie waves a mince pie in your face.
I need a Santa outfit, pronto. Where can I get one?
Still haven’t told the kids the truth about the fat guy in the red suit? No worries, Posters in Al Wahda mall (02 443 7089) has you covered – they’ve got Father Christmas get-ups in various sizes for both adults and kids. Just work on those ho-ho-hos before you slip the suit on, else you risk being rumbled.
Will shops and bars be open?
In a word, yes. Christmas Day will be a standard Saturday here in the UAE, with the vast majority of malls, hotels and restaurants working to their normal opening hours. Bad news if you work in a shop or café for a living, great news if you’re in need of some extremely last minute presents.
Where can I get a fresh turkey?
The big branch of Spinneys in Khalidiya (02 681-2897) should be able to sort you out, or, if you’re at the other end of town, a jaunt to Waitrose (04 434 0700) in Dubai Mall is a good bet. In both cases, we’d advise getting your order in as soon as possible (now, for example) to avoid having to make do with a frozen bird.
Last year I burnt everything to cinders. Can I get a Christmas lunch delivered?
You most certainly can. You’ll need to get your order in three days in advance, but for Dhs550 the good people at Abu Dhabi City Golf Course (02 445 8900) will deliver you a 6kg turkey (Dhs850 for 11kg), stuffing, roasted veggies and all the festive trimmings. For an extra Dhs65, you can even get dessert included. A high-end option for the service comes from the Marco Pierre White Steakhouse & Grill (02 654 3238), where you can pick up a range of bird sizes, cooked by the restaurant’s award-winning chefs. Prices range from Dhs410 for a bird for four people, to Dhs640 for a giant fowl big enough for 12 folks to consume, with some left for turkey sandwiches on Boxing Day, no doubt. Alternatively, www.roomservice.ae will happily bring you a plateful of Christmas grub from one of the various hotel buffets being served up around town on the big day. All you’ll need to provide are the indigestion tablets.
