Know someone who has everything? Out of ideas for what to buy that special someone this festive season? TOAD went in search of some of the city’s more unusual gifts.
For loved ones
Something arty
Art is a great gift, one that is unique and thoughtful. Buy someone a piece of art and they know it is truly a unique gift they will be receiving. There are many galleries around the city where you can purchase stunning pieces to suit any taste. Try the N2N Gallery or the Folklore Gallery for something unique. www.folkloregallery.net (02 666 0361). N2N Gallery, Emirates Palace (02 690 8929).
Monte-Carlo Beach Club membership
You can buy a day-pass or season pass for the Monte-Carlo Beach Club, where guests can access all the facilities available there. Why not buy your most special friend one of these access-all-areas passes that gives pool, beach, lounge and gymnasium usage? From Dhs175 for a day pass. Saadiyat Island (02 656 3500).
Yas Waterworld Voucher
Buy your loved ones an experience they won’t forget in a hurry with a voucher for Yas Waterworld. It’s a fun day out for everyone, and attendees will be thrilled by the super-charged rides. From Dhs235 per adult. Yas Island (02 414 2000).
Photoshoot
Rachael Jones Photography is doing deals for the festive season, with vouchers for two-hour sessions. It’s a great gift to give in its own right, or you can get the photographs of yourself and give them as gifts afterwards! Dhs722 (normally Dhs850), includes all photos. www.rachaeljonesphotography.com
Sleep bracelet
The Philip Stein sleep bracelet releases natural frequencies to help the wearer get a sounder sleep. For the restless and sleepless among us, this is a great way to ensure better peace of mind. Dhs1,400, Rivoli, various locations including Abu Dhabi Mall (02 645 6220).
Feel-good furnishings
Head to The One in Khalidiyah, and pick up some ethical products for colleagues – such as a Palestinian cushion cover. These are hand-embroidered by Palestinian women in the Qalandia Refugee Camp. All profits from the sale go to Qalandia Camp Women’s Handicraft Cooperative, a non-profit, non-governmental organisation that aims to raise the educational, social, cultural, health and economic standards of women and children in Palestine. Or you can buy a feed bag – the money raised from the sale of a Feed 1 Bag will provide school meals for one child for a year through the UN World Food Programme (WFP). Each Feed 100 Bag purchased will enable the WFP to supply 100 school meals to hungry children in Rwanda. Cushion cover Dhs795, Feed Bag from Dhs249. The One, Al Khalidiyah (02 681 6500).
Mini-Porsche
In the land of the super car, why not start them young? The little ones will love this super-charged Porsche, a ridiculously cute peddle-powered kid-mobile that will have them doing three-point turns in no time. Dhs1,050, www.porsche.com/shop.
For him
Mubadala Tennis Championships Tickets
Get him tickets to the Mubadala Tennis Championships, where David Ferrer, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal will be among those competing in this grand slam on December 26-28. Zayed Sports City. Tickets from Dhs100, www.ticketmaster.ae.
HSBC Golf Championships Tickets
Tickets to the HSBC Golf Championships will win real brownie points. Rory McIlroy, Luke Donald, Justin Rose, Jamie Donaldson and Matteo Manassero will be battling it out at Abu Dhabi Golf Club on January 16-19. Tickets from Dhs50 for general admission, www.ticketmaster.ae.
The Lounge Voucher
Give dear hubby some pampering with a voucher from a man spa, such as The Lounge. He can feel pampered for the day, with all kinds of masculine treatments. You can choose a voucher for a specific treatment or just get him a general voucher for whatever takes his fancy. From Dhs100. The Lounge, Corner Khaleej Al Arabi Street & Al Falah Street (02 667 7377).
GlamBox subscription
This nifty delivery comes every month with an assortment of beauty products for the recipient to sample. It changes every time so it really is the gift that keeps on giving! From Dhs239 for three months, www.glambox.me.
A pamper day
Get your lovely lady a day of R&R at Espa. You can buy her an escape package which includes full use of the spa facilities and at least two hours of treatments. This gift will have her feeling fresh and fabulous. From Dhs675. Espa, Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi (02 656 0862).
Al Khaznah bag
Why not get your wife one of these beautiful camel leather bags? They are designed and made in the UAE, from UAE camels. The bags are a worthwhile investment given they are environmentally friendly and are up to eight times stronger than regular leather. Prices from around Dhs100. Available at Paris Gallery, Al Khalidiyah. www.alkhaznahtannery.com.
