Celebrating Christmas In U.A.E.

The clock is ticking and Christmas is arriving within couple of days. All Dubai's shopping malls are impressively decorated to celebrate the festive season and the kids are enjoying Santa. Gulf News asked Christian shoppers about their views of and preparations for the occasion.
Canadian Gabriela Gosse said Christmas revolves around two fundamental aspects, spiritual and social. "The core factor of Christmas is celebrating the birth of the Christ and this day acts as a reminder to make us recall and practice the noble principles that Jesus taught us, while the social aspect is obviously seen in the extensive visits among families and friends.
"It's an interesting series of plans — perhaps the Christmas tree takes the lion's share, and we make sure to decorate it beautifully. Also the turkey and many various yummy types of cookies must be presented on the table.

Snowy weather

"The feeling of being surrounded by loved ones is one of Christmas' essential features." On whether there's any difference between spending the Christmas in Dubai or Canada, she said: "Back home the snowy weather makes you feel the eve perfectly well.
"However, speaking of Dubai, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the ruler of the emirate for allowing us to freely enjoy celebrating." Jonathan Caddick, a 15-year-old British student at Dubai College who has spent nine years with his family in Dubai, said the festive season means a lot to them.
"Christmas is a synonym of togetherness; I love to see my whole family around one table and enjoying such precious annual ceremony." Caddick also likes getting gifts. "Last Christmas I got an iPod and this year I impatiently wait to see what I'm going to get."
On differences in spending Christmas in England and Dubai, he said, "The only two main angles missing in Dubai is that not all my family is here and the other is the snow — I pretty much miss playing with the snow at Christmas." Yuliya Ivanishchava, 25, from the Republic of Belarus, said, "Christmas means many happy things to me, like going to church and being surrounded by family and friends.