If your phone isn't groaning under the weight of an array of food delivery, supermarket and shopping apps, can you even call yourself a UAE resident? Convenience has always been a buzzword in this part of the world, one that has been elevated to an art form thanks to the choice and quality of services provided.
Although expediency has always been part and parcel of UAE life, the pandemic has meant that even more products and experiences are available to be delivered directly to your door.
So, while this morning's supermarket delivery and tonight's takeout feast have been taken care of, here are 12 other goods and services you could get delivered to the comfort of your home.
Afternoon tea
There's no denying that the cafes and hotels of the UAE took this oh-so British tradition and ran with it. If you've been craving a treat, but don't want to venture out, then you can get an afternoon tea delivered to you.
The one from Ferns N Petals features two large fruit scones, farmhouse lemon biscuits, Dundee cake, Devon clotted cream, blackcurrant and strawberry jam, English tea and a box of white and dark chocolates to finish off on a sweet note. All you need to provide is the crockery and the sticky-out pinky finger.
Dh289, available in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, www.fnp.ae
Aquarium cleaning and maintenance
Aquariums are beautiful and calming things to have around you, but they also require constant upkeep to ensure your aquatic friends are happy and healthy.
Petzone offers a customisable aquarium cleaning and maintenance service, whereby members of the team come to your home to advise on everything from algae issues to the health of your fish.
They will even landscape your fish tank with plants, pebbles and caves, ensuring you have the most Instagrammable aquarium in the UAE (The Dubai Mall's notwithstanding).
Dh263 for aquarium cleaning service; Dh3,150 annual contract (one visit per month), available in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, www.petzone.com
Bespoke bread
If supermarket bread doesn't float your boat, and you don't have the time to make your own, you can choose from a huge batch of different breads to be delivered to your doorstep fresh for breakfast every morning.
Order before 4.30pm for next-day delivery, and Early Bird will bring you anything from pretzels, chia seed bread rolls and pure rye, to wild farmer’s bread, baguettes and fitness loaves made with whole grain oats.
From Dh10, available in Dubai, www.earlybird.ae
Bike repairs
With cycling one of the most popular pastimes in the UAE thanks to miles of tracks and incredible desert views, bike repair and maintenance is also much in demand. But it can be a hassle to cart your bike to the repair shop when something goes wrong.
That's where Adam Bike Services comes in. With a fully kitted-out workshop van, the eponymous Adam comes to your house to fix everything from punctures to brakes, also offering expert advice on all things cycle-related.
Price subject to services, available in Dubai, 050 995 8288
Cheese party
Whether you're hosting an impromptu weekend get-together or fancy a change from the usual takeout, Cheese OnBoard lets you host your own cheese evening without doing any of the hard work.
Arriving in highly photogenic displays (you can always say you put it together yourself), it offers a variety of artisanal cheese boards that come with crackers and condiments to suit all sizes of gatherings, including a vegetarian option, for a sophisticated addition to any foodie's table.
Platters from Dh190-Dh350, available in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, www.cheeseonboard.ae
Indoor plant care
Even if your outdoor plants are being well looked after by a gardener, spare a thought for the care of your indoor plants. These are often a lot more temperamental than their hardier outdoorsy cousins, not to mention more pricey, which is where Plantscapes comes in.
The company will pay weekly visits to your home to water, fertilise, clean and trim indoor foliage, and will revive or replace plants that show signs of decline.
Price subject to services, available in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, www.plantscapes.ae
Market flowers
Florette has taken a different approach to flower delivery, whereby it not only sticks to seasonal blooms, but also eschews all the bells and whistles that come with traditional bouquets.
When you order from Florette's Flower Market, don't expect reams of environmentally unfriendly coloured paper or cellophane, but rather a simple paper-wrapped bouquet offered at wholesale prices for a minimalist farmer's market vibe.
Price subject to services, available in Dubai, www.florette.ae
Oven cleaning
There are certain kitchen appliances that everyone would rather avoid having to clean. Behind the fridge, inside the toaster and, of course, the oven. But as with most things in the UAE, you can outsource this job to the experts. Oven King UAE promises to give your greasy and food-encrusted appliance a sparkling new lease of life.
Price subject to services, available in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, www.ovenkinguae.com
Personal chef
Whether you want someone else to take on the responsibility of cooking for a dinner party, or want to treat yourself to a night away from the kitchen, Take a Chef allows you to book a personal chef to provide a private dining experience in your home.
Choose from a range of cuisines, including Mediterranean, Japanese and French, then simply provide a few details about your kitchen and choose the date. And what's more, the chefs clean up after themselves, too.
From Dh250 per person depending on group size, available in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, www.takeachef.com
Photo framing
There's a meme that states: "The time between taking a photo and then getting it framed is approximately 57 years" – a statement that anyone with photos stacking up on their phone can agree with. But it can be time-consuming to get pictures printed, then go frame shopping.
However, at draft frames, you simply upload your photos, choose the frame you want, and it will be delivered to your door in a few days. There are also collage, canvas and mini frame options.
From Dh115, available in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, www.draftframes.com
Singing telegram
We've all experienced that moment when a birthday is looming and you've forgotten to get a gift. Or, alternatively, you've been racking your brain for a present that's a little out of the ordinary.
Step forward The Big Moo's singing telegram service, which can be delivered to the birthday boy or girl's doorstep. You can even choose the costume the singer will wear to serenade them on the big day.
Price subject to services, available in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, www.thebigmoouae.com
Salon treatments
If you can't get to the salon for your weekly pampering session, then the beauty specialists can come to you. Home Service Salon offers a range of treatments, including manicures, pedicures, nail extensions, facials, body scrubs, microblading, eyelash extensions and henna design. You can also book a blowout , as well as an array of hair styling treatments.
Price subject to services, available in Dubai, www.homeservicesalon.ae
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Read more:
Serving up a legacy: How some of Dubai’s oldest restaurants are remaining relevant in 2021
Infinity roses and floral workshops: why flower shops in the UAE are in full bloom
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