Thursday 22
Stock up on party supplies: Kids love Christmas, and kids love tacky party balloons and streamers. Oh, who are we kidding – we all love that stuff. For all the party supplies you could ever need this festive season, check out the Party Centre – there’s something for every kind of celebration.
Raha Mall, Al Raha Beach, www.mypartycentre.com (02 556 5563).
Go golfing: Yas Links is one of the finest golf courses in the Middle East, and it’s open all week. So if it’s been a while since you played, or you just want to give it a try, why not pop round and have a great day in lovely weather.
Yas Island, www.yaslinks.com (02 810 7777).
Learn to salsa: With all the thrills of a standard salsa class, with the added bonus of a night-club environment, Abu Dhabi Salsa could be just the thing if you want to impress your friends on the dance-floor this festive season. Plus, dancing is good for you!
Corniche Road, Al Khubeirah, www.abudhabisalsa.com (050 414 0015).
Go somewhere where everybody knows your name: We all remember the classic sit-com Cheers. If you want a taste of the quintessential American bar atmosphere, then you should check out the capital’s very own Cheers. Live music and quaffable state-side beverages are the order of the day.
Al Ain Palace Hotel, Al Markaziyah, www.alainpalacehotel.com (02 674 4777).
Friday23
Have a cheap night out: Heroes bar at the Crowne Plaza on Hamdan Street offers all house reds and whites at Dhs10 per glass, and Dhs40 per bottle, from 7pm to 9pm for the ladies on a Friday night. So if you’re tired of consuming nothing but fruity beverages on your girls’ nights out, and you think things taste better when you get them for less, then you won’t find a much better deal than this.
Heroes, Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi (02 616 6132).
Get connected with charities: If you want to get involved with helping to organise events, or even if you just want an inside track on upcoming opportunities to help out generally, then get on facebook or twitter and follow Abu Dhabi Cause Connect. They take part in a wide variety of community-minded activities, as well as green initiatives.
twitter.com/ADCauseConnect, facebook.com/AbuDhabiCauseConnect.
Take your kid to Sparky’s: This indoor amusement park has you covered for all your ice-rink and rollercoaster needs. Keep the kids amused while you do some last minute Christmas shopping. With all the activities in this well-maintained funland, the young ones will be in no great hurry to leave.
Khalidiya Mall (02 635 4316).
Buy some colourful art: The Fairmont Bab Al Bahr is hosting an interesting art exhibition celebrating Arabia and Africa; with colourful, expressionistic and figurative works by Elwin Buchel for sale. Not only do these works brim with joyful energy, but 25 per cent of the proceeds from sales will go to Operation Smile – helping children born with cleft lips and palates.
Fairmont Bab Al Bahr, between Al Maqta’a and Mussafa bridges, www.fairmont.com (02 654 3333).
Saturday 24
Have turkey from The Village: This is the one time of year where we want all the turkey we can get. The aim is to have so much, that by the time we’re through with left-overs, we can barely look at one of the birds until next Christmas. One to One Hotel – The Village is all too happy to oblige with take-away turkey on Christmas Eve.
One to One Hotel – The Village, Al Salam Street (02 495 2001).
Feast on Christmas Eve: Emirates Palace is going all out for the holiday season, and on Christmas Eve they’re offering a dinner buffet that will be sure to leave you pleasantly full. For Dhs340, you get a truly world-class buffet for all tastes. If you pay Dhs540, you also get a high quality bottle of bubbly to sate your thirst.
Emirates Palace, West End Corniche (02 690 9000).
Pick up another language: Have you been living here a few years, but still can’t speak any Arabic? Perhaps you’ve just always wanted to speak Spanish, Japanese, German or something else. Berlitz has you covered with courses in all sorts of European and Asian languages.
Zayed the First Street, Al Khalidiya, www.berlitz.ae (02 667 2287).
Go caroling: Get that Christmas spirit well and truely flowing and join in with Al Raha Beach Hotel’s choir. They will be singing traditional carols in the hotel’s Lobby Lounge from 6.30pm until 7pm.
Al Raha Beach Hotel (02 508 0555).
Sunday 25
Dine with a view: The newly-opened Jumeirah at Etihad Towers is offering an amazing four-course Christmas set lunch at Quest restaurant. Not only is the food guaranteed to be spectacular, but you’ll get to enjoy arguably the most breathtaking view of the capital while you feast.
Jumeirah at Etihad Towers (02 811 5666).
Have Christmas by the pool: Le Royal Méridien is prettying-up its pool area to give it a festive touch, and with a well-priced Christmas brunch, you can have all the traditions of Christmas while working on your tan.
Dhs180 (adults) Dhs90 (children six to 12). Le Royal Méridien (02 644 6666).
See the sea: The new Park Hyatt hotel is offering numerous Christmas dining options, from a BBQ on the beach to classics at the Park Bar & Grill – whatever you choose will come with stunning sea views.
Park Hyatt (02 407 1234).
Give to the UNDP: It’s easy to forget this is not just the season to be jolly, but also the season to show goodwill. Give to the United Nations Development Programme and help people to build better lives. What better gift could you possibly offer this year?
www.undp.org.ae (02 446 7600) Saadiyat (02 406 1400).
Monday 26
Have a heroic Boxing Day: We love Boxing Day, and Heroes Bar in the Crowne Plaza is giving us all an opportunity to spend it in the traditional manner – with live football and turkey sandwiches all day. This is a truly great way to wind down after a hectic Christmas, and to keep the holiday spirit going until NYE.
Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi (02 616 6132).
Have some falafel: We love falafel! If you’re like us, then there are few better places to get your fix than Just Falafel. Sure, the decoration is a little sparse, but the place is clean and you’ll be amazed by how much variety they can get out of the simple premise. If you’re not into the setting, they have a good delivery service.
Hamdan Street, Al Markaziyah (02 626 2099).
Get those wrinkles in check: Eden Spa is offering a festive deal for people who want to have a relaxing facial massage that will help fight the encroaching years. This truly luxurious treatment will leave you looking and feeling great.
Dhs480 for a 75 minute treatment, Le Méridien (02 697 4338).
Try a new look: Clarins is offering a festive collection with plenty of ultra-feminine reds and silky eye shadows that blend beautifully with your natural skin tone.
DFS Galleria, Abu Dhabi International Airport (02 575 7163).
Tuesday 27
Be pretty in pink: Tuesday nights at Eight Restaurant & Bar are pink. There will be free-flowing sparkly pink beverages for the more fragrant sex all night long. Dress in pink and get free selected mixed drinks. Pre-booked tables of five get a free round of cupcakes.
Free entry, 10pm-3am, Eight Restaurant & Bar (02 558 1988).
Bling up for less: Al Futtaim Jewellery has a special offer on until January 3, in which you can get 25 per cent off selected items. Want to treat yourself to something shiny after a tough year? Perhaps your better half would appreciate a precious stone? Then now is as good a time as any to have a look and bag a bargain.
Al Wahda Mall (02 443 7270).
Explore art: Half and Half in Gallery 3 of Manarat Al Saadiyat is a reflective exhibition exploring the different elements that make up an artistic temperament.
Manarat Al Saadiyat, www.saadiyatculturaldistrict.ae (02 657 5800).
Check in to a spa: It’s hard not to let the late nights and large meals take their toll during the festive season. Treat yourself to a relaxing spa treatment at Zayna Spa to leave you refreshed. They’ve also got an amazing pool.
Grand Millenium Al Wahda, Hazza Bin Zayed Street (02 495 3822).
Wednesday 28
Get the kids snapping: If your kid is brimming with artistic tendencies, try something different to the usual paints and crayons and get them an introduction to photography. As part of Emirati Expressions, there will be an hour-long children’s workshop in digital photography at 2pm.
Manarat Al Saadiyat (02 657 5800).
Audition for a play: Abu Dhabi’s Resuscitation Theatre is planning a production of Richard Sheridan’s well known Restoration comedy The Rivals. If you’ve got an inner thespian dying to get out, book a place in their audition workshop.
7pm, Resuscitation Theatre Studio, www.resuscitationtheatre.com.
Play laser tag: ’Tis the season to try and shoot all your best buds, and at the Caracal Shooting Club you can do just that. Their laser simulator room is open to the public and is less painful that paintball.
Armed Forces Officers’ Club & Hotel, Al Maqtaa, www.caracalshooting.ae (02 441 6404).
Take it to the roof: Skylite rooftop bar comes with great views and a cool atmosphere. Plus, there are reclining sofas for when you’re all danced-out.
Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi, www.vicerorhotelsandresorts.com (02 656 0760)
