Missing Santa’s gifts and the firecrackers

Lebanese couple Charbel Kordahi and Rita, who have been in the UAE for about 30 years, have always missed the sight of Santa Claus knocking on people’s doors back in Lebanon, giving gifts to children on Christmas day.

“We miss the festive mood in Lebanon — the colourful streets and the houses illuminated with Christmas lights that come along with the voices of children caroling around,” Charbel said.

Rita said Christmas is the most festive season throughout Lebanon. “I start decorating the house by December 2, do shopping in the third week and bake the cake popularly known to Lebanese Christians as “Christmas Log” on Christmas day itself. I am doing the same thing here in the UAE.”

Part of the Christmas decorations inside the Kordahi home are the drawings of their two-year-old son Elie, who has a three-and-a-half-month-old sister, Elsie.

To Filipino Catholic couple Angelito Poyaoan, 38, and wife Maylan, 30, celebrating Christmas in the UAE revolves around their church. “We have a get-together on Christmas day that starts with worshipping in the church, dining together and participating in group games. We also exchange gifts with others in the get-together and at home on Christmas eve,” Angelito said.

“Together with my wife and two kids, Mark Angel, 4, and Pearlene Rose, 6, we celebrate Christmas at home with our relatives and friends,” he said.

Indian couple Vincent and Merlin told Khaleej Times that they deck up their flat with mostly homemade decorations. “We bought the Christmas tree but I customised all decorations hanging on it and make Christmas decorative designs on the cushions,” Merlin said.

Vincent said that they and their kids, Rebecca Angeline, 10, and Jonathan Samuel, 6, are celebrating Christmas day with their church members this time.

lily@khaleejtimes.com