It's been the question that's dominated most of my WhatsApp group chats in recent weeks. It seems like a pretty straightforward question, right? I suppose the straightforward answer is no. I won't be trading palm trees for fir trees and sand for snow this December, not that there's a chance of that in northwest England.
But seven years as an expat and two years spent living through a travel-halting pandemic has taught me that family comes in many forms. One of them, you'll find pictured below. My What's On family, all looking rather festively fetching in matching Marks & Spencer's Christmas pyjamas. While I won't be fighting my sisters for the last mince pie or listening to my mum and aunt hotly debate who burnt the custard, I'll be tucking into a Christmas feast with this marvelous bunch, each one bringing their own traditions from home. Miles, no doubt, will be adding hot sauce to every inch of his meal; Aarti will take responsibility for ensuring everyone gets an equal slice of dessert; and Shelby will be on DJ duties, although hopefully without introducing us to a Gen-Z remix of a Christmas classic.
That's one of those brilliant things about being an expat in Dubai – the way cultures, interests and habits from all corners of the globe slot so perfectly together. We may have different ways of decorating the tree, cooking the turkey or using up the leftovers, but it doesn't matter. In fact, it's one of the best things about it.
Another form family takes for me, is you. Our wonderful, opinionated, knowledgeable readers. You laugh with us, you inspire us, and you put us in our place from time to time. But that's exactly what family is for, right?
So ask me again if I'm spending Christmas with family. And the answer is, yes.
From all of us at What's On, we wish you a Merry Christmas..
Enjoy the issue,
Alice Holtham Group Editor | 
