Are you panic-buying Christmas gifts and running out of time? Calm down, we’ve got Christmas this year all wrapped up

Stocking stuffers

AED 25: Soldini di Cioccolato. Carluccio’s, Yas Mall
No Christmas stocking is complete without a bag of shiny chocolate coins to devour just before breakfast.

From AED 33: Lush, Al Wadha Mall
Swap the coal for luscious cosmetics from shower gel to bath bombs.

The Grandparents

From AED 380: Bateel, Souk Qaryat Al Beri
Who wouldn’t love this ruby red hamper packed with sweet treats?

From AED 350: Tips and Toes, various branches.
Give your grandparents the gift of pampering with Pevonia’s range of anti-aging products.

For her

AED 675: Love clutch. Vince Camuto, Yas Mall
It’s not Christmas without a bit of glitz, so this little gold number will be the perfect update to any wardrobe this season.

If the lady in your life has been very, very good this year, then this beautiful pearl bow necklace and earrings set will make a great gift.

AED 745: Christmas gift set. Pandora, Al Wahda Mall

For him

AED 525: Anantara Spa, Eastern Mangroves Hotel & Spa by Anantara

This men’s grooming set from Elemis is aptly titled ‘Perfect Man’ for a little pampering treat for one of your nearest and dearest male relatives this year.

AED 175 for box of seven: Harry’s of London, Marina Mall

For little ones

Tiny tots will love this interactive portable swing for some bouncing and playing.

AED 330: Bright Starts Portable Swing. Centrepoint, Dalma Mall

Racecar fans can construct the iconic red racing car with this Ferrari-themed Lego kit.

AED 120: Lego Speed Champions La Ferrari kit. Ferrari World or  AED 109 at Yas Mall

How do you celebrate?

Mai Philippines
“We start celebrating Christmas right from September! The Christmas countdown starts on 16th December, when there are nine morning masses.

“On Christmas Eve, we celebrate the Noche Buena, where we all get together with family and friends to celebrate, eat and give gifts.

“I associate Christmas with a cheese called quezo de bola, as well as spaghetti and fruit, so that is what we’d usually serve for the Christmas meal.

“This year, Christmas will be extra special as my mother will be here with us in Abu Dhabi, so I’m going to be celebrating it with my family.”

Alina Russia

“A lot of Christmas traditions in Russia fall on New Year’s Eve. Russian kids expect to get gifts from Grandfather Frost, our version of Santa Claus, on 1st January.

“Russian Christmas day is actually on 7th January. If I were in Moscow, I’d spend the day with my family, we’d have lunch together and go to church.

“My family is multicultural and I grew up abroad, so Christmas dinner can be a mix of different cuisines!

“Traditional Russian meals at Christmas include Russian salad and herring, pies with cabbage or potato and borscht (beetroot soup).

“This year, we’ll be in Dubai with my husband’s family and we might even throw a Dubai-style brunch into the mix!”

Melanie Germany

“One of my favourite German traditions is the Christmas market, which is where we get together with our friends to eat and shop the stalls of handmade goods.

“Every Sunday during Advent, it’s also traditional to light a candle in the evenings.

“We always decorate the tree on 24th December. In Germany, Christmas is all about being with the family, having a big meal and then exchanging gifts in the evening.

“In my region, a traditional Christmas meal would be a roast, maybe fish or meat, with potato salad and some sauerkraut.

“After that, we sing carols by the tree before opening presents and heading to church at midnight.

“When we were little, we were sent to our rooms to wait for Santa, and our parents would ring jingle bells to let us know he had come.

Santa sighting

As the song goes, Santa Claus is coming to town! He’s a busy man, but you can catch a glimpse of him if you’re lucky! Here are places in the capital where he’s scheduled to make a stop.

• Head down to Yas Mall where you can tell Santa all you want for
  Christmas from 20th to 29th December. 4pm-10pm. Visit: yasmall.ae
• Father Christmas has traded in his sleigh for a flashy red race car
  at Ferrari World this year. If you’re in the park, catch up with him
  to say hello from 18th December to 9th January. Park entry from
  AED 260. 10am-10pm. Visit: ferrariworldabudhabi.com
• The Galleria on Al Maryah Island will also be welcoming the jolly
  fellow this year from 17th to 19th and 23rd to 24th December. Thu-Fri
  7pm-11pm, Sat and Wed 6pm-10pm. Visit: thegalleria.ae
• You can also catch him at Abu Dhabi Mall from 11th to 25th December.
  11.30am-3pm and 4pm-8pm. Visit: abudhabi-mall.com