Eating, shopping and spending time with loved ones – that’s pretty much what Christmas is all about, right?
If you’re trying to recreate a homely, traditional holiday this year, then you’ve got plenty of options, be it cooking up a storm at home or letting one of the hotels in town do all the preparation. We’ve done the legwork for you (consider it an early Christmas pressie) and tracked down all those hard-to-find festive essentials and top Christmas feasts. We know, we really shouldn’t have…
1 A real fir tree
Is Christmas just not Christmas without the smell of pine wafting round your home – and of course browning needles stuck in your carpet by Boxing Day? Then get yourself down to Spinney’s in Khalidiya, where they’ll be selling the real deal (as well as plastic ones if you’re that way inclined). When your tree is all lit up and has exciting boxes stashed underneath it, it’ll be worth all the effort. Fresh Christmas trees don’t come cheap though – the 8-9ft bad boys are Dhs450, but small options are available too. Phone ahead to avoid disappointment, as stocks, unsurprisingly, run out quickly.
Spinney’s Khalidiya (02 681 3538).
2 Ponsettia plants
It’s possibly the easiest way to make a room seem festive without going over the top – stick a nice bright red ponsettia plant on the windowsill and you’re done. Best of all, they last for weeks and are very reasonably priced. Get yours at Exotica, where you can also find an array of other Christmassy plants – think everything from tulips sprouting from a ceramic snowman’s head to santa’s boots filled with seasonal blooms and toy reindeers clutching cactus plants. Weird, yes. Tacky? Possibly. But noone can say they’re not cheerful!
Exotica, Tourist Club Area (02 644 4416).
3 Chocolate coins to hang on the tree
Harder to come by then you’d imagine, but if there are going to be kids at your place on Christmas day, we reckon a sack of chocolate coins are worth their weight in gold. Whether to hand out to peckish youngters, stuff the bottom of stockings with or hang on the branches of your Christmas tree, these festive treats will do the trick. Also great as a low-key gift for anyone you might have forgotten at the office. Just saying! We’ve managed to track these down at the ever-reliable Marks & Spencer at Marina Mall, so pick some up this weekend before they run out.
Marks & Spencer, Marina Mall (02 679 6920).
4 Christmas cake
What, you mean you haven’t got a homemade fruitcake stashed in foil in the kitchen that you’ve been regularly dousing in a splash of festive liquid every few weeks? You mean you don’t have a Christmas cake ready to be marzipanned and iced and covered with painstakingly hand made festive figures? Well thankfully all is not lost, as Jones the Grocer are doing Christmas cakes this year that taste almost as good as home made, in both small and large sizes. That should see you through Boxing Day and right the way until New Year.
Jones the Grocer (02 443 8762).
5 A cooked turkey
Can’t face the thought of being responsible for the Christmas dinner? Would rather spend your afternoon playing Christmas games and guzzling festive beverages than sweating over a hot stove? Yep, us too. Fortunately Abu Dhabi’s lazy are fully catered for by the Beach Rotana this year. Roast turkey with all the trimmings is available, and they also have goose terrine, oak smoked salmon and other goodies for order. Best of all, you only need to place your order 24 hours before delivery, meaning a last minute panic definitely doesn’t need to be a part of this year’s celebrations.
Beach Rotana (02 697 9120).
6 Christmas crackers
What do you call a blind reindeer? No eye deer. Geddit, geddit? As much a part of your traditional dinner as the turkey, there’s no getting away from the cracker-pulling, paper crown-wearing, bad-joke telling part of the feast. So invest in a couple of boxes from M&S, who have a range from Dhs80-Dhs215 depending on whether you want luxe gifts, or silly ones. Fed up of receiving the rubber thimble every year? Fork out for the posh ones then – you won’t regret it.
Marks & Spencer, Fotouh Al Khair Centre (02 639 7104).
7 A Santa outfit
There may be plenty of, ahem, opportunities to visit Santa at various malls and hotels around town this season, but dress up yourself and it’ll make Christmas all the more memorable for your little ones. Pick up a Santa suit from Posters at Al Wahda Mall – they’re only Dhs255 and you can keep it to use year after year. Oh, and don’t forget the sack of pressies too – after all, that is the most important part of the costume. Then all you’ll need to do is scoff down a few mince pies, shout ‘Ho ho ho!’ then nip out the back to get changed again. Job’s a good ‘un.
Posters, Al Wahda Mall (02 443 7089).
8 Festive tipples
Expats that have been in the city for a while won’t need any help here. But if you’re new to town, here’s a tip you’ll thank us for. Any drinks you need to make your Christmas that little bit more merry can be purchased from African and Eastern. Whether you need bubbly for the afternoon or a splash of something to add a kick to your trifle, you’ll find it at a reasonable price here. Just remember you do need a license to buy these items and consume them at home, so apply now if you haven’t already.
African & Eastern (02 667 6041).
9 Christmas pudding
Is it just us or are Christmas puddings incredibly difficult to get just right? We’ve given up trying, and this year will be purchasing one ready made from Jones the Grocer, which for our money, is one of the juiciest around. They come in two sizes – Dhs53 for 125g or Dhs128 for 500g.
Jones the Grocer, (02 443 8762).
10 Stockings
If you’re under ten, waking up to find a stocking at the end of your bed stuffed with toys, sweets and goodies is still the most exciting moment of Christmas Day, if not the entire year. In fact, we know a few grown ups who still demand a stocking full of presents every year. So buy one for each of your family if you haven’t already – they’ll last for years and only cost Dhs40.
Marks and Spencers, Fotouh Al Khair Centre (02 639 7104).
11 Wrapping paper,ribbon and gift tags
Bought all the gifts but forgot the paper? No worries, you can get everything you need from Gulf Greetings, be it acres of Rudolph-printed wrapping paper or colourful metallic gift tags.They even do Christmassy gift bags in case wrapping complicated shapes isn’t your strong suit.
Gulf Greetings (02 4437360).
12 Christmas tree lights
Back to M&S for these (we reckon it’s worth avoiding cheaper versions – nothing worse than blown fuses near the tree) so pick up red, white or multicoloured sets here. A small string costs Dhs40 and a longer lead Dhs165. Both are battery operated.
Marks & Spencer, Fotouh Al Khair Centre (02 639 7104).
