Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree… It’s never too early to start thinking about Christmas in Abu Dhabi, right?
If anything is going to transform your otherwise standard living room into a festive Christmas wonderland, it’s a big and beautiful tree.
Whether you’re looking to fake it this Christmas or you’re on the hunt for real fir, we round up all the best places in Abu Dhabi to get a Christmas tree.
Most places across the city have yet to release prices or stock dates so keep your eyes peeled here for updates.
Here’s to a tree-mendous Christmas in Abu Dhabi.
For your essential guide to Christmas in Abu Dhabi click here.
Real Christmas trees: here are the best places in Abu Dhabi to buy a proper Christmas tree
Ace Hardware
Ace is, ahem, ace, for all of your house and design needs in Abu Dhabi – and Christmas trees. The homeware store always stocks plenty of artificial trees but if you’re on the hunt for the real thing, they’re set to be available from late-November onwards.
Opening times vary. Yas Island and Mina Road, www.aceuae.com (800 275 223).
Spinneys
Spinneys is top spot for real Christmas trees. Last year the supermarket chain ordered more than 2,000 Nordmann fir trees from Denmark.
Opening times vary. Various locations across Abu Dhabi, www.spinneys.com.
Artificial Christmas trees: here are the best places in Abu Dhabi to buy an artificial Christmas tree
Ace Hardware
Opening times vary. Yas Island and Mina Road, www.aceuae.com (800 275 223).
Carrefour
Opening times vary. Various locations across Abu Dhabi, www.carrefouruae.com.
IKEA Abu Dhabi
Open Sun-Wed 10am-10pm; Thu-Sat 10am-midnight. Yas Mall, Yas Island, www.ikea.com/ae.
Top tips for buying a Christmas tree in Abu Dhabi
Know your trees
Know your Norway spruce from your Nordmann fir. The only downside to a real Christmas tree is all those spiky needles so try to spend a little bit of time learning about different trees and their needle retention. Here are some more top tips when it comes to the real deal:
• A good Christmas tree should be full from top to bottom with no bare patches.
• Look for sap – the freshest Christmas trees will still be producing it and will have some visible sticky patches.
• The top branch should shoot straight into the air.
Get the measuring tape out
We repeat, do not buy a tree until you know how high your ceiling is. Choosing the right tree for you and your family will depend on what your home can accommodate and you’ll also need to factor in a Christmas tree topper and tree stand.
Need help picking the right tree for you? Read on…
Fir trees
Christmas trees come in different shapes, sizes and types. Firs and spruces appear quite similar, but look to their needles to know what’s what. Fir trees have longer needles that are softer and flatter and can’t be easily rolled between your fingers. People tend to go for fir trees because they are long lasting and have a nice, fairly sweet fragrance.
Spruce trees
The original Christmas tree, spruce’s needles are shorter and sharper than those of the fir and can be easily rolled between your fingers. They have a very traditional Christmas tree shape and the blue spruce has a lovely colour that reflects lights and decorations perfectly. The pine needles have a strong scent but the needles tend to drop quickly, so don’t buy this one more than a week before Christmas Day.
Pine trees
Pine trees are a good Christmas choice, and white pines are great for people with sensitive noses as they are less pungent than the other options. Don’t go for this if you have a lot of heavy ornaments though, as the bouncy branches are best suited to smaller decorations.
Artificial trees
The most cost effective choice, these trees keep for years, don’t drop needles, are flame retardant and require no maintenance but try to avoid Christmas trees made out of PVC as this harsh plastic is hard on the environment and your health.
How to care for a Christmas tree
Once you’ve tracked down your perfect Christmas tree, you’ll need to give it the care it needs.
When you bring your real Christmas tree into your home for decorating, make a cut across the trunk one to two inches from the bottom. This allows the tree to take in water, keeping it hydrated.
Keep in mind that these Christmas trees can by thirsty creatures, drinking up to four litres of water a day. Be sure to check the water level in the Christmas tree stand daily and keep it topped up.
Position your tree away any other source of heat (including televisions in direct sunlight), and turn off tree lights when you’re not at home.
Safety is key – don’t use any flammable decorations, even if your artificial tree tells you it’s fire retardant. Turn off the lights before you go to sleep, and never decorate it with lit candles.
For your essential guide to Christmas in Abu Dhabi, click here.
