Staying healthy in a season of excess
Ashley Gibbon-Jardine, clinical dietician at Dubai Medical University Hospital
“With the festive season upon us, it is easy to push your health and wellness goals to a problem for 2026. Simply moving towards moderation over excess can save you some extra kilos! Remember not to skip meals for calorie saving, as it always ends in a binge. Keep up your vegetables for lower-calorie meal additions (alongside those mince pies) and your protein to keep you full. Hydrate throughout the day and maintain exercise routines. Walking and padel with the family definitely count, too. Moderation is the key to leaving the festive season feeling refreshed and ready for a healthy 2026.”
Making the festive season meaningful
Dr Roberta Fedele, clinical psychologist, BPS Clinic Dubai
“This time of year can often be the most demanding. If we want to emerge with our emotional balance intact – and preserve even a hint of sanity and softness – then those who are more grounded, more resourced, more emotionally steady must be willing to extend themselves to those who are not. The true meaning of this time is not in the elaborate meals or the perfectly decorated tables, but in offering ourselves to one another: our presence, our attention, our patience, our warmth. It lies in showing up, in listening, in being the quiet reassurance someone else did not know they could ask for. In the end, the greatest gift we can give is ourselves – gently, generously and with the courage to care.”
The power of flowers
Rawan Aalissa, head artist florist and founder of REIKA
“For me, festive flowers are not just décor, they are characters in a story. The trend we are embracing this season is sculptural arranging: fewer stems, more intention. Think twisted branches, acid-dipped orchids, or a single amaryllis placed in dialogue with stone or metal. Seasonal blooms like nerine, cymbidium and winter berries bring elegance and personality into the home, especially when paired with unexpected vessels such as bowls, trays or even architectural objects. For big gatherings, create one powerful focal arrangement. For small dinners, let flowers sit close to the plate; low, surprising and intriguing. Do not decorate, curate. Leave space, embrace imperfection and let the flowers breathe.”
Decorating your home
Lauren Haslam, interior stylist
“I believe a home should feel collected rather than styled, and I approach Christmas the same way. Instead of choosing a theme, begin with a loose colour palette that lets different textures, materials and eras sit comfortably together. It’s a gentler, more intuitive way to decorate, and it leaves room for pieces with history. In my own home, hand-blown baubles mingle with modern brass bows and aged mercury glass, held together by their warm metals, handmade details and light reflecting qualities. Foliage plays a part too, used in thoughtful, sculptural moments rather than across every surface. These smaller gestures bring a softness and natural rhythm to the room, keeping the whole scheme refined but still quietly experimental.”
Smart ways to manage seasonal budgets
Beth Clay, founder and CEO, Financed Well
“The festive season should feel joyful but not pressurised. Before you spend, slow down and decide what actually matters to you, then build a simple budget around those priorities. Track as you go using apps like Yabi or SAV and change your mindset from “I can’t spend” to “I’m choosing what’s worth it.” Meaningful doesn’t need to be expensive; think shared meals, homemade touches or Secret Santa with a limit. And be mindful of buy-now-pay-later offers that disguise stress as generosity. A calmer, intentional Christmas is far more memorable than an over-stretched one.”
Tablescaping with style
Stasha Toncev, founder & creative at etar
“As someone who creates through the lens of minimalism, warmth and sustainability, I believe festive tablescaping starts with intention rather than excess. My favourite way to tablescape is by using plenty of fruits and vegetables – ones we can enjoy fresh during the gathering, or later turn into jams, preserves or other creations. This season, you’ll find plenty of red grapes on my table. Less is always more. A restrained palette, simple candles and a few meaningful elements can create a warm, effortless table that feels personal rather than produced. For me, the festive colours this season are blue, butter yellow and burgundy. I usually stick to monochrome styling, but this year I’m going all in.”
What’s on the menu
Nick Alvis, chef
“For me, Christmas is solely about tradition, where a roast turkey is served with all the festive trimmings. It’s about classics done well, but I sometimes put a twist on Christmas pudding by turning it into a frozen parfait. Brussels sprouts are at their best this time of year and can have an extraordinary flavour with a natural hit of heat. Peel the outer leaves, halve them through the middle and boil them in salty water, keeping them slightly crunchy and vibrant in colour. For roast potatoes, the trick is to season the water you par-boil them in with salt. Once drained, roll and coat them in turkey fat. Place them in the oven for 40 minutes, then stir to get a crisp outer surface. My top advice? Start your Christmas day meal prep a week in advance – break down the jobs to make it stress-free and fun. For large groups, get as much done on the previous day so you only need to finish off the jobs. For cabbage, braise it up to three days before the event (the flavour gets better), and make your stuffing recipe a day ahead. Keep it in a baking dish, so you can just pop it in the oven on the day.”
Keeping in control of festive clutter
Shelina Jokhiya, founder of DeCluttr Me
“When the house fills up, keep things organised by creating clear zones and returning items to their homes each evening. You don’t need to decorate every corner to feel festive; choose a simple colour palette so everything matches and opt for hanging decorations instead of surface clutter. Do a mini declutter before Christmas to free up space. Hide presents in zipped fabric bags in wardrobes or under the bed. Keep a lidded basket near the tree for spare ribbons and tags, plus a small recycling bag for wrapping bits. Spread tasks across the month with a simple to-do calendar. Finally, consider gifting experiences to reduce clutter. For children, passes to play areas or workshops work well. If family prefer physical gifts, encourage consumables like candles, hampers or bath products.”
