‘There’s never the space to store special Christmas platters and other holiday stuff,’ points out Tina Roth Eisenberg, a Swiss-born graphic designer who blogs about cool products that catch her eye – like teardrop-shaped humidifiers and dishes made from recycled milk jugs – on her website www.swiss-miss.com. So we’re on the hunt for decorative kitchen goods that can be used year-round but will also help her guests get into the holiday spirit at her unconventional dinner party.
Blueribbongeneralstore.net
‘They carry all the random stuff I blog about,’ says Eisenberg. She browses from table to table clicking on novelties like individually wrapped toothpicks bearing famous adages (Dhs15) and a set of children’s chopsticks (Dhs21) before coming to a Kikkerland Aluminum Cube Jigger (Dhs100). ‘This is an interesting way to measure out punch for drinks. I’m all about having items that are conversation starters.’ For other random bits and pieces, Time Out heads to the Dubai Flea Market (www.dubai-fleamarket.ae), next on in Safa park on December 6. Last time, we picked up 3,000 leopard printed napkins for a measly Dhs8.
Cityfoundry.com
This vintage site is filled to the rafters with good finds. ‘You never know what you’ll leave here with,’ she says, clicking on a ’60s-era tooth model (Dhs1,500) used in a German dental school. Then it’s onto a metallic pitcher and tumbler set from the ’50s (Dhs1,000), which Eisenberg plans on using to serve mojitos. If it’s Arabic-inspired goods you’re after, then Khan Murjan at Wafi offers some pretty kitsch wares (the fuchsia pink Arabic coffee pots need to be seen to be believed) and that’s not forgetting Satwa’s Al Shahama Household Appliances (04 344 5739) where Dhs95 sweet trays – perfect for pre-dinner nibbles – come in an array of polka-dot hues.
@home, Mercato Mall, Dubai
‘I love to cook, and I fully believe in having lots of gadgets to help you,’ Eisenberg says. Her gathering is not your typical Christmas turkey affair, so she picks out a ceramic fondue pot (price on request) from South African homewares store @home in Mercato Mall. ‘Fondue is such a social meal. In fact, the Swiss have a rule that, if you drop your bread in the pot, you have to kiss the person to the right.’ While poking around this homewares haunt we also came across some fluoro cutlery and ’60s-inspired ice cream cups that would definitely liven a traditional Christmas up.
Abitareshop.com
‘This store has lots of things that look expensive but aren’t,’ Eisenberg points out. Specifically, she highlights a set of big and small Kahler vases (Dhs180 and Dhs130, respectively) and an old-school thermos by Erik Magnussen (Dhs300). But it’s a cotton breadbasket (Dhs130) that Eisenberg says she really needs. ‘I’ll fill it with fresh French bread from Paul.’ If it’s antiquated and thoroughly kitsch wares you’re looking for, Speedex Supermarket at The New Gold Souk has old-school flasks and Dhs30 crockery sets. You may even be fortunate enough to come out with a Dhs10 inflatable Great White Shark as your table centrepiece.
