Christmas for me is a mix of all the fun, cosy that make the holiday season feel special—though, living in Dubai, it’s a bit of a different vibe compared to what you might see in snowy places. Christmas in the desert heat is definitely a strange experience! Instead of layering up in scarves and mittens, I’m finding myself wearing sandals while strolling through Dubai’s malls, which are all decked out in the most over-the-top Christmas decorations. There’s something funny about seeing fake snow and sparkling Christmas trees in a place where it’s almost 30°C outside. Still, it’s all part of the magic!
One of my favourite parts of Christmas is definitely spending time with family and friends. We often head out to the malls, looking at the extravagant Christmas displays and enjoying the holiday lights. In Dubai, everything is a little bigger, from the towering Christmas trees to the endless rows of twinkling lights. Sometimes we even play the “Who Can Spot the Most Christmas Decorations” game—because there’s no shortage of festive stuff everywhere you look! And let’s not forget about the food—we’re definitely going for store-bought Christmas fruit cake, because let’s be honest, we’re all about convenience in the heat! And sipping on hot chocolate with cinnamon.
Of course, no Christmas is complete without the annual ritual of watching cheesy, cringe-worthy romantic Christmas movies. My family and I sit together, laughing at how predictable the plots are (the guy always ends up falling in love with the girl by the end—shocking, right?) but secretly, we love it. It’s one of those things that, no matter where we are in the world, always makes it feel like Christmas. So, even though I’m not in the UK or surrounded by snow, Christmas in Dubai still brings joy, laughter, and a lot of time spent with loved ones. It’s different, but it’s still magical in its own way!