A lot has happened this year in terms of developments, progress, and more. The UAE is always at the forefront of establishing the best it can. This Christmas 2025, despite the countless options available, many UAE residents are planning to celebrate Christmas at home. Some argue that they look forward to a “no device” celebration, taking a break from social media. Here’s what we know:
Hakim Abdullah, a Sharjah resident, said, “It’s been 9 years since I’ve been living in the UAE. Given that I work in the IT sector, I look forward to not seeing a screen or any device and only making memories with my family. Something is happening in every corner of the city, but this year my kids decided to bring a tree at home and decorate it with intricate danglers. I gave them a budget of AED130 to maximize it and put up what they could. They went out to a nearby hypermarket [Day to Day] and got so much for around AED60.”
This year, there has been much discussion around the term “brain rot,” as people are increasingly focused on showcasing a perfect life on social media. Experts have noted that this can be mentally draining. However, some still believe that the holiday period is a time to offload stress and focus on doing what they love.
“Brain rot can mean many things, from consuming low-quality content to obsessively scrolling social media. But for me, it has also been therapeutic at times. Absorbing light or trivial content gives my mind a chance to step back and recharge from more serious demands,” remarked Emjay Fernandez, Social Media Manager at a luxury Real Estate company in the UAE.
However, she believes, in a way, it aligns with the idea of cognitive offloading; shifting focus to less demanding activities to refresh mentally. “While brain rot sounds negative, it can be a valuable way to cleanse your mind, depending on how you approach it,” said Emjay.
Regardless, Sobhitaa, who works in the UAE as a teacher, echoed similar concerns. “Before we kicked off for the holidays, I advised my students to use the days wisely, but somehow I feel most of them are going to stick to their phone screens.”
She added, “Parents are always keen on intimate, no-TV, or no-device celebrations. That’s the way children focus on being connected within their family space.”
Meanwhile, some argue that they’re all busy decluttering to make their home look divine on a beautiful day. Athira, living near Al Nahda, Dubai, said, “I will simply clean up the clutter that my kids have left for me so that I feel relaxed and can enjoy a dinner with my husband.”
But is it easy to declutter with kids? We heard from Shelina Jokhiya, Founder of Decluttr Me, who noted, “Absolutely! While it’s not realistic to have a perfectly tidy home with kids, it is possible to have a manageable, organized space. The key is to set realistic expectations and involve the children in the process. Decluttering doesn’t mean eliminating every toy or item they own—it’s about creating systems that work for your family.”
She quickly highlighted the example of having designated zones or baskets for toys, which are labeled – which can make tidying up quicker.
“Rotate toys regularly—this keeps things fresh for the kids and reduces clutter. Also, teach them early that every item has a home, whether it’s their books, games, or art supplies. One of my favorite strategies is the buy one get rid of two rule. When they get a new toy or item, they choose two to donate or recycle. It keeps things balanced and helps children learn about gratitude and sharing,” she said.
Meanwhile, Ipshita Sharma, Founder of The Ipchics, a community for women in the UAE, shared, “A lot of my friends are doing an orphan’s Christmas – we all do a potluck at a friend’s house because we’re all the family we have here.” She added that there’s an intimate celebration this year, mostly because some can’t go home or have other reasons.
Be it at home or anywhere in the city, what’s important is making memories with your loved ones and doing what makes you happy from within your soul.
