• The Abu Dhabi Edition is rounding off the Year of Tolerance with a tree that's been created in collaboration with artists from across the UAE. The Tolerance Tree is adorned with a variety of sustainable handcrafted baubles, each featuring a unique design by an artist from the region, including Emirati multidisciplinary artist Ahmad Saeed Al Areef Al Dhaheri; Marwa Elsherbiny, an Egyptian visual artist living in the UAE; Niall Conlon, an Irish artist based in the UAE who specialises in expressionism and cubist artist; artist and curator Noor Al Suwaidi; Abu Dhabi's Maitha Hazza; and Gemma Gallagher, an award winning artist based in the UAE.
    The Abu Dhabi Edition is rounding off the Year of Tolerance with a tree that's been created in collaboration with artists from across the UAE. The Tolerance Tree is adorned with a variety of sustainable handcrafted baubles, each featuring a unique design by an artist from the region, including Emirati multidisciplinary artist Ahmad Saeed Al Areef Al Dhaheri; Marwa Elsherbiny, an Egyptian visual artist living in the UAE; Niall Conlon, an Irish artist based in the UAE who specialises in expressionism and cubist artist; artist and curator Noor Al Suwaidi; Abu Dhabi's Maitha Hazza; and Gemma Gallagher, an award winning artist based in the UAE.
  • Abu Dhabi artist Maitha Hazza’s bauble for the Tolerance Tree at the Abu Dhabi Edition.
    Abu Dhabi artist Maitha Hazza’s bauble for the Tolerance Tree at the Abu Dhabi Edition.
  • The most fashion-forward tree in the UAE can be found in the grounds of the Mandarin Oriental Jumeira in Dubai. Fashion designer Kenzo Takada was given the task of designing the highly contemporary, seven-metre, all-gold tree, which makes quite the style statement.
    The most fashion-forward tree in the UAE can be found in the grounds of the Mandarin Oriental Jumeira in Dubai. Fashion designer Kenzo Takada was given the task of designing the highly contemporary, seven-metre, all-gold tree, which makes quite the style statement.
  • It’s elegant minimalism over at Citywalk Dubai, with a deconstructed tree made of feathers of light that almost look like they are suspended in mid-air. The reflection of the lights in Citywalk’s central water feature only adds to the effect.
    It’s elegant minimalism over at Citywalk Dubai, with a deconstructed tree made of feathers of light that almost look like they are suspended in mid-air. The reflection of the lights in Citywalk’s central water feature only adds to the effect.
  • The Christmas tree at Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah is teddy-bear-tastic. Located in the hotel’s Peacock Alley, the Teddy Bear Heaven Tree is part of the property’s Give a Bear a Home initiative. Guests can purchase a set of two Waldorf Astoria teddy bears – one to take home and one to donate to the Rashid Center for People of Determination.
    The Christmas tree at Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah is teddy-bear-tastic. Located in the hotel’s Peacock Alley, the Teddy Bear Heaven Tree is part of the property’s Give a Bear a Home initiative. Guests can purchase a set of two Waldorf Astoria teddy bears – one to take home and one to donate to the Rashid Center for People of Determination.
  • For pure, unadulterated, child-inducing joy, we’re voting for the Hamleys tree at The Dubai Mall. There are bows and baubles and bells, snowmen, stars and snowflakes, flowers and fairy lights – everything you might want from a Christmas tree, slap bang in the middle of the magical toy shop. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    For pure, unadulterated, child-inducing joy, we’re voting for the Hamleys tree at The Dubai Mall. There are bows and baubles and bells, snowmen, stars and snowflakes, flowers and fairy lights – everything you might want from a Christmas tree, slap bang in the middle of the magical toy shop. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • A towering triangle topped with a star and neatly dotted with red-and-gold baubles in varying sizes, the statuesque tree outside Dubai’s Habtoor Palace is an exercise in restraint. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    A towering triangle topped with a star and neatly dotted with red-and-gold baubles in varying sizes, the statuesque tree outside Dubai’s Habtoor Palace is an exercise in restraint. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • We recognise that it's not a tree, but we're giving a special mention to the towering gold stags currently lining Dubai's Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard for their sheer scale and geometric grace. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    We recognise that it's not a tree, but we're giving a special mention to the towering gold stags currently lining Dubai's Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard for their sheer scale and geometric grace. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • The Souk Festive Market at Madinat Jumeirah allows you to experience a traditional German market sans coats and gloves. The decor is dominated by an impressive 36-foot LED Christmas tree. Antonie Robertson / The National
    The Souk Festive Market at Madinat Jumeirah allows you to experience a traditional German market sans coats and gloves. The decor is dominated by an impressive 36-foot LED Christmas tree. Antonie Robertson / The National

Lifestyle

The UAE's best Christmas trees: from minimalist decor to symbols of tolerance

This year's festive offerings are a far cry from your standard foliage dripping in red and gold

Selina Denman
Selina Denman

December 18, 2019

  • English
  • Arabic

The UAE's malls, hotels and public spaces are now fully decked out for Christmas, with trees, decorations and twinkling lights heralding the festive season.

But far from your standard foliage dripping in red, white and gold, this year's offerings include a "tolerance tree" created in collaboration with local artists at the Abu Dhabi Edition, a stylish statement crafted by Japanese-French fashion designer Kenzo Takada and a teddy-bear-covered tree that doubles as a charitable initiative.

Click through the gallery above to see six of our favourite Christmas trees in the UAE.  

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