Christmas might be the best time of the year, but it’s also the busiest. With so many things to do in Abu Dhabi during the holiday season, we think we might be more exhausted than the big man in red himself. Have you ever wondered how many calories you’re burning while you complete your holiday to-do list? Here are the surprising ways you’re getting fit without even knowing it this season.
Christmas shopping
Everyone knows a trip to the likes of Yas Mall or The Galleria Al Maryah Island is a real workout, even on a chill day. But during the festive season, there are so many more presents to carry and shops to explore in search of that perfect thing for that one person who is impossible to shop for (we all know at least one of those people). The average person burns 165 to 220 calories per hour while shopping – and all of those hours really add up. Lace up your walking shoes, and head to the mall.
For the top festive spa packages in the capital click here.
Decorate the Christmas tree
Putting up a Christmas tree is no walk in the park. If you have a real tree, you have to make sure that sucker doesn’t come crashing down by balancing it just right in the stand. And if you have a fake tree, you need to get all of those pieces back into place. Then you have to lug out the ornaments, unpack them, and put every bobble in the perfect place. Untangling the lights and getting them just right is yet another challenge. It’s a lot of standing, walking, reaching and shouting at family members who are doing it wrong. (No, just us?)
For easy ways to make your own Christmas presents click here.
Festive picnic in the park
We don’t want to bang on about the weather too much, but we really are lucky that Christmas is the perfect time to get outside in Abu Dhabi. If you’re planning a festive picnic this holiday season (hello, turkey sandwiches with stuffing) you might be surprised by how many calories you burn while taking a picnic. Preparing and packing your basket, lugging it from the car to the picnic spot, and unpacking everything – not to mention kicking a ball or throwing a Frisbee around – all of those small activities add up. Bonus points if you’re taking your picnic to the desert because walking through the sand with your gear is no, well, picnic.
For the best Christmas Day brunches in Abu Dhabi click here.
Hosting a dinner party
Anyone who’s ever hoisted a turkey out of the oven or spent hours chopping, dicing, blending and mixing knows that cooking a holiday dinner is a massive task. Not to mention setting the table, pouring glasses and putting everything away afterwards. You can burn 100 calories in just 38 minutes of dinner party hosting, which makes it a massive calorie-buster. Go on chef.
For the top turkey takeaways for Christmas in Abu Dhabi click here.
Play a festive tune on your instrument of choice
It doesn’t matter if you’re rocking it out on the drums, guitar or piano, if you’re entertaining your friends and family with your musical talents this holiday season, you’re burning more calories than you might think. Jamming on a guitar burns approximately 100 calories in 30 minutes, and that’s without any air kicks (we assume).
For festive eats at Expo 2020 Dubai click here.
Walk on the Corniche
The Abu Dhabi Corniche is one of the most popular places to hang out during the Christmas holidays. The weather is perfect, and families flock to the beach and walkways to ride bikes, scoot and walk. It’s also one of our favourite places to see the fireworks on New Year’s Eve. With so many jolly vibes, you might not even notice how much you’re moving. Depending on your weight, you can burn 100 to 200 calories with 30 minutes of brisk walking – and you’re going to want to stay longer.
For gingerbread house making experiences for the family in Abu Dhabi click here.
Winter cleaning
Pre-and-post-holiday-party cleaning, and even a seasonal closet purge, can burn an unexpected number of calories. Scrub your windows, vacuum and wash the dishes, and you already have burned 100 calories. Neat.
For amazing Christmas dishes at Time Out Market click here.
Looking for more top Christmas events and activities to do in Abu Dhabi? For the best Christmas dinners, brunches, family-friendly activities and more, click here.
