It’s that time of the year again when all manner of weird, wacky and wonderful gifts appear in the UAE’s malls to temp Christmas shoppers. From remote control cars, to pine scented candles and fur covered flip-flops, there’s something for young and old, shy and bold this season. Flick through our slideshow to see more.
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Bags of fun
Kids familiar with The Gruffalo character will relish unwrapping a selection of festive gifts from the illustrated book range this year. Height charts – with easy to use magnetic markers – are available for children aged three years and upwards for D80, while lunch bags, tumblers and snack boxes start from just Dh35. The range is on sale exclusively at Borders stores across the Middle East. Find your nearest branch here
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Green Christmas
Stock up on your greens this festive season with a surprising sprout from Lush handmade cosmetics. Wrapped inside the leafy exterior of the vegetable is a bathbomb with a lasting zingy lemongrass perfume. Priced at about Dh50, the fizzy agent also contains fresh avocado and extra virgin olive oil to soften and moisturize dry winter skin. Other offerings in the 100 per cent natural range include seasonal satsuma and figgy pudding bath products. https://uk.lush.com/
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Berry nice
What could be more Christmassy than a new bag in berry red, perfectly sized for the upcoming party season? Mulberry has launched a new line of colours this month and in addition to fiery red, there’s grass green, macaroon pink and porcelain blue. Iconic styles available in the latest shades span from the Mulberry Oak, to Classic and Oxford bags. Prices upon application. To see the full collection go to http://www.mulberry.com/ae/
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Dolled up
The new 2016 Barbie Fashionista dolls by Mattel are available at Toy Store, Hamley’s and leading retailers across the UAE from Dh69. The latest range sees Barbie adopt four different body types including tall and curvy as well as seven skin tones and 22 eye colours. Each Barbie comes with a fully styled outfit ranging from double-denim separates to ball gowns and festival chic maxi-dresses. Barbie shoes and a bag are also included with every purchase. For more information go to www.barbiemedia.com
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Floral note
Tradition dictates that perfume will be a primary gift for many ladies this holiday season. With that in mind, Victoria’s Secret range of four rose-based fragrances might be on some people’s shopping list. The brand’s perfumers have modernised the rose’s classic floral notes by melding its pure oil with ingredients including bergamot, violet, musk and caramel. Eau de parfum bottles start from Dh180 and can be matched with complementing hand/body crèmes. https://www.victoriassecret.com/
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Winter time
If your New Year’s resolution is to be on time for all appointments then a Swatch Seasons Special timepiece could be just what you need for Christmas. A limited number of watches have been created with prices starting from Dh360. Key features include an iridescent foil dial – inspired by the Northern Lights – and a bracelet frosted with snowflakes. The watch comes in a gingerbread cookie house and matching sunglasses are also available for Dh405 at all UAE Swatch stores. http://www.swatchgroup.com/en/
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Pomp and splendour
What could be cosier than grey wool slip-ons for the cooler winter months? S*uce boutiques across the UAE have it covered with their range of chic and festive shoes, adorned with pom-poms by Joshua Sanders for Dh1,315. Equally statement-making are his zig-zag sole flip-flops embellished with ruby red faux fur by the same designer for Dh820. Other inclusions in this season’s fashion edit include delicate diamante snowflake earrings and cocktail dresses weighted with sequins. Find your Dubai or Abu Dhabi outlet at http://shopatsauce.com/
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Pining for you
Molton Brown has revealed a limited-edition range of seasonal items with the evocative scents of a Scandinavian Christmas. Dubbed the Fabled Juniper Berries & Lapp Pine line, products up for grabs this December include a Lincoln green candle, a festive tree bauble plus a luxury hand-wash and hand crème. The products are defined by their top notes of spicy berries, warm heart notes of frankincense and pine, plus basenotes of oakmoss and earthy extract of bark. www.moltonbrown.com
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Old school cool
A one-stop style emporium for gents this month is Mr Porter. The online retailer has a huge selection of menswear offerings including apparel and accessories by Lanvin and Saint Laurent, to name a few. Shirts in seasonal green come courtesy of Oliver Spencer while winter beanie hats in pillar box red are available from Ami. For quirkier presents there’s a classic Polaroid camera for sale, in full working order, along with film cartridges in either black and white or colour. Prices upon application, for the full selection of gifts go to https://www.mrporter.com/
