Christmas in Dubai

[Dubailaina]

I'm moving to Dubai next week but i was just wondering what Christmas was like in Dubai for the Westerners out there? Do we get any time off work, or does it depend on your company?

I can't imagine what it would be like for a Christmas that's not actually Christmas!

[Ogri750]

Christmas here isn't recognised as it is eleswhere.

Time off is dependant on the firm you work for. Many western firms will give you time off as a matter of course, whereas other firms would want you to take the time as annual leave. That said, even non-western firms are pretty good with regards to Christmas day itself.

What I find strange is the run-up to Christmas. No cheesy songs on the radio, no decorations in the street etc. The malls generally do have some good decorations, carol singers and even santa's grotto.

You will be able to buy plenty of decorations etc, with a good selection at Ace Hardware in Festival City

[MaidenScotland]

Christmas in Egypt is horrendous despite the fact we have a huge local Christian population. No Slade or Wizard belting out our Christmas songs, we have no Carol singers in the malls but they are decorated but of course Coptic Christmas is January so it's too late to give me any Christmas cheer. I miss the hustle and bustle of the shops in December and people smiling at each despite being laden down with shopping, being wished a Merry Xmas, the Salvation Army, looking at the post each morning to see who sent a card and the counting of christmas trees in the windows as I ran my children to school

[mayotom]

you will notice a bit of christmas stuff around the shops, but nothing like home.... re time off its as ogri says...


then there is New Year, thats a whole different ball game, last year they just canceled new year in Dubai, but Sharjah was rocking

[Sean_C]

Its better to go back home during the holidays!

[MaidenScotland]

If I could go home for Christmas I would

[Maz25]

Christmas isn't much here but I intend to have a very merry Xmas. So, there are no Xmas carols in the shops (though Spinneys is the exception and love Xmas carols), I will play my own songs and sing along, very likely off key but who cares.
I will buy my own presents and have a tree and enjoy decorating it with my niece. Xmas is a time for family back home and not at all commercial, so I am bringing my family here to spend Xmas with me! Problem solved. It's gonna be a tropical Xmas, with time spent on the beach and what not and maybe a drive somewhere, to enjoy the unusually empty roads.

MaidenScotland - Don't despair. If you plan well in advance, family members can come and spend time with you. I was mostly on my own for Xmas when I was in the UK, so can totally relate. Unless someone invited me to their house, it was downright miserable and I mainly spent the day sulking and staring aiamlessly out of the window. Well, I say no more and you can do the same. Visit family and friends wherever you are and Xmas won't feel so bad.

[MaidenScotland]

I can't bring my family here for Christmas for various reasons and I am never sure if I will get Christmas day off, if my boss is in the country then I definitely dont get it off. On a bright note I belong to the British Expat Community and spend Christmas day there and we have all the usual stuff turkey etc, and it is good to be with people at Christmas. Something else that I miss is waking up on Christmas day and looking out of the window to see if it has snowed lol

[cairogal]

The Dubai malls tend to pipe in music, trees decorated, etc. I even recall hearing a religious carol at City Centre years ago. My employer (the Abu Dhabi govt) does not give the day off. Staff tend to work out some sort of agreement. Those without children who can work xmas morning will be asked to cover classes (hate this since I don't have kids). Lucky for everyone, Christmas is on a Friday this year!

It's hard the first few years, ilaina. For myself, I get a fake tree, ornaments, bake cookies, and try to spend the day with good friends. Even if it's some acquaintances looking for company during the day, we've always managed to enjoy ourselves. Off to the Sharjah souk for some silly gifts, so that everyone has something to open on the day...it gets easier every year. One thing I realised when I finally went home for xmas: You can never go back to what it was. Life changes while we're away. Try and form new friendships and enjoy the holidays in a new and unique way.

[Sean_C]

Boy... am I glad I booked my tickets well in advance to go home... So, unlike Maz I wont be staring out of the window, glaring blindly at the sandbox that now I call 'home' and watch as families with lound and noisy kids get into their 4x4's with bottles of wine/champagne probably off to parties that I am never invited to....