A modern reimagining of Christmas traditions, for anyone who wants something a little lighter, with less obligations, less over spending, less stress and less chaos. Over the next few weeks, we’re releasing our Christmas With a Difference series on shaping the festive season to suit you. We'll be including ways to celebrate without it getting heavy, festive traditions without the fuss, and as always a little soft luxury stitched into each part of the season.

Here's what to expect over the next few weeks:

01 The Not-So-Traditional Tree

We love a Christmas tree as much as anyone, but real or artificial, they are a toll on the environment. So if you are someone who prefers clean lines over crowded ornaments, expect sculptural branches, warm lighting, and clever ways to create atmosphere without turning your home into a Temu park.

  • Aesthetic: warm whites, amber lights, glass, linen, wood
  • What to ditch: tinsel, glitter, anything novelty
  • How to make it feel festive without looking like the 80s

02 A Better Kind of Hosting

This year we're hosting without the performance. We’re stripping back the chaos but keeping the charm. Three-dish menus, smart prep, unfussy tablescapes, and the art of being put-together without burning out. A relaxed but refined Christmas Day dinner, no centrepieces made of foliage, no 17-step recipes and no stress.

  • The 3-Dish Christmas Table (starter-salad, warm main, cold dessert)
  • Using your pantry as your sous-chef
  • The “prepped in advance” hosting model

03 The Anti-Gift Guide

As much as we love gifting, shopping and a little treat, the rampant consumerism of Christmas can feel a little, well consumerist. So we're sharing thoughtful ideas that don’t involve last-minute panic or pointless purchases. From “practical luxury” pieces to under-200 AED gifts that still feel premium.

  • Experience-based gifting (pilates pass, a treatment, a bespoke perfume session)
  • Edits of practical luxuries (olive oil, linen spray, beautiful notebooks)
  • Gifts under 200 AED that look expensive
  • The no-waste wrapping approach (silk squares, velvet ribbon)

04 Drinks That Don’t Taste Like Christmas

We started with the Mulled Red Frosé but a good seasonal celebration is nothing without some favourite flavours. Cool, refreshing twists on Christmas flavours with a line-up of light, crisp, winter-inspired drinks.

  • Spiced white peach spritz
  • Rosemary grapefruit cooler
  • Cinnamon-honey iced latte
  • Winter margarita (smoked salt rim)

05 A Calm December

Stay grounded rather than fried this year with small habits that keep your energy steady. The weeks leading up to Christmas always pick up speed, end of year work deadlines, social plans, last-minute errands and the pressure to make everything feel festive.

  • The pre-party decompression shower
  • The morning-after care plan
  • The Sunday-night reset
  • Staying well during peak social season
  • How to say no (gracefully, without guilt)

07 December, But Clean

A few smart shifts in scent, lighting, and styling can make your space feel warm and seasonal without tipping into overload. Clean lines, gentle atmosphere, and small touches that soften the room rather than crowd it.

  • The one-candle rule
  • Scent profiles for a non tacky December (amber, cedar, fig, white musk)
  • The “festive but still minimal” coffee table
  • A 15-minute nightly tidy that saves your sanity

08 The Soft-Luxury Activities List

Your guide to small ways to slow down and spend some time alone. Hotel lobby afternoons, quiet walks, spa-at-home hours, and the kind of downtime that you can fit in easily.

  • A spa day at home, using what you probably already have
  • A hotel lobby afternoon
  • A slow morning with a book and jazz
  • Solo shopping mornings at 10am before crowds hit

09 The Social Calendar That Doesn’t Drain You

We're making December about connection rather than obligation. Fewer events but better ones. Micro-gatherings, graceful exits, and ways to focus on the people you genuinely want to see.

  • Fewer events, better quality
  • Hosting micro-gatherings (4 people max)
  • The “drop-in dessert” night
  • Setting your own social boundaries
  • How to leave early without being weird about it

10 Christmas Day, Reimagined

A refreshed take on the day itself - the kind of menu you can pull together without turning the kitchen into a crime scene, outfits that feel bougie but still have breathing room and a pace that keeps the whole day smooth rather than rushed.

  • An early slow dinner instead of a heavy lunch
  • One standout cocktail, a simple, fuss-free main and a single indulgent dessert
  • Games night, champagne and charcuterie instead of a big dinner
  • Matching loungewear instead of dressy outfits

So save this page, sign up to the emails, follow us on Instagram if you're ready for something a bit different this Christmas.

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