Top things to do this December

Learn to cook up a festive feast

What: Take a culinary Christmas masterclass with Chef David at Nineteen, The Address Montgomerie. Learn to cook the perfect festive meal or discover the secret to mince pies, before joining the chef for afternoon tea.

How: Until December 21, Sun-Wed, 12-3pm, Dh500 for two guests. Call 04-3905600.

Stock up at the Farmer's Market

What: Whether you want organic eggs or locally grown tomatoes, rocket or herbs, Baker & Spice’s Farmer’s Market on the terrace is the place to go for fresh fare, offering budget-friendly, locally grown goods direct from the farmers.

How: Every Friday 9am-3pm, Baker & Spice, Souk Al Bahar.

Take the kids to meet Santa

What: The Address Montgomerie’s Carnival on the Lawn includes festive fun, food and games, as well as
a visit from the man in red.

How: December 3, 3-6pm. Dh110 (adults), Dh50 (kids). Call 04-3905600.

Attend a free tree lighting

What: Get into the spirit of the season with a tree lighting at The City Seasons Hotel, which also offers a church choir and a visit from Santa. Or pop along to Mövenpick Jumeirah Beach’s tree lighting and Christmas sing-a-long.

How: Mövenpick, December 8, 7-9pm, call 04-4498888. City Seasons, December 14, 6.30pm, call 04-2942777.

Visit a photography exhibit

What: Exposing an amazing new light on landscapes in the world’s most famous cities – think extraordinary detailed images of the Eiffel Tower in Paris and the Empire State Building in New York – photographer Karim Hobeika’s detailed photographs are a must-see.

How: From December 2-31, Kinokuniya bookstore in The Dubai Mall.

Give back by buying Marni

What: In this season of giving, support children from underprivileged communities in South America and East Asia by purchasing one of Marni’s canvas bags or jersey T-shirts, which have been co-designed by the kids themselves, showcasing whimsical, colourful prints

How: Available at Marni, Mall of the Emirates, from December 1. From Dh625.

Take a workshop in mindfulness

What: Led by best-selling author Shamash Alidina of Mindfulness For Dummies, this workshop promises to provide you with the skill of ‘living in the moment’. The mindfulness meditation exercises you learn will help you to manage stress, anxiety and even depression, as well as helping you achieve better focus and more energy.

How: Mindfulness for Joyful Living workshop, Tuesday December 6, from 6.30-9.30pm, Dh399 per person, Dubai Herbal & Treatment Centre, call 04-3351200.

Save time with a turkey-to-go

What: Make your life easier by ordering a turkey-with-all-the-trimmings takeaway. Intercontinental DFC’s ‘Turkey-To-Go’ service is up-and-running. From Dh495 for a 4kg turkey, while Pullman Dubai Mall of the Emirates are offering theirs for Dh320 from December 15.

How: Pre-book at InterContinental, 04-377200, and Pullman, 04-7011111.

Take a free cooking lesson

What: The in-house chefs at award-winning restaurant Silk Route are offering free live cooking demonstrations on techniques in Thai and Chinese cuisine, which is then followed by high tea.

How: Every Saturday, 4-6pm, Arabian Courtyard Hotel & Spa, call 04-3519111.

Get away on a local trip

What: Escape the buzz of the city by taking a trip. Head for the mountains and stay at the Hatta Fort Hotel, just an hour away, and participate in mini-golf, archery and tennis. Or drive three hours to the remote Danat Jebel Dhanna Resort on the Western coast of Abu Dhabi, which offers an oasis of five-star serenity. There are tonnes of things to do from snorkelling, fishing and kayaking, to beach biking, beachside massage and trips to the nearby wildlife reserve of Sir Bani Yas Island.

How: Packages at Hatta Fort Hotel, from December 26-29, Dh1,195 per room per night, including dinner and breakfast. Call 04-8099333. Jebel Dhanna’s Christmas package, Dh699 for a seaside room. Call 02-8012222.

Party on with a New Year’s Eve bash

The Jazz party Slip on your flapper dress and swing to the Charleston at New York-style steakhouse West 14th’s NYE’s ‘20s-inspired jazz party. Think jazz band, five-course set menu and Palm Jumeirah’s spectacular fireworks.
Dh999-Dh1,599, call 04-4477601.

The family party Mina Seyahi’s Gala Dinner will offer a buffet, live bands, a kids’ corner and Chinese acrobats.
 Dh1,650 (Dh575 kids), call 04-3181398.

The entertaining party The 1,001 Arabian Nights at The Address Dubai Mall promises a non-stop showcase of entertainment with a lavish buffet, violin show, a one-man show, belly dancer, laser effects and DJ.
8pm-2.45am, Dh750-950, call 04-8883444.

The fine-dining party For a more refined affair, indulge in a Michelin-star meal at Dubai’s best fine-dining French restaurant, Reflets par Pièrre Gagnaire (InterContinental DFC), before joining the Leisure Deck Countdown Party to welcome in the New Year.
Dh1,212-Dh2,012, call 04-7011199.

If you do one thing this month… attend one of the film screenings at this month’s 8th Dubai International Film Festival. Keep an eye on www.dubaifilmfest.com for schedules. And don’t miss Mission Impossible 4 (with dramatic views of the Burj Khalifa) out this month.
 
Win a candelite hamper with Aquarius Connect 

What: In the lead-up up to Christmas, Aquarius has joined festive forces with Candelite to give away a delicious, festive food hamper (think good-for-you nuts, chocolates and other goodies) every day for the 12 days leading up to Christmas.

How: Log on to the Aquarius Facebook page every day from December 13 to December 24 and answer the question we post for a chance to win.