A tree in the desert

We took the decision that we'll be staying in Dubai for Christmas. Of course, many ex-pats go home at Christmas to be close to family and friends. However, we kinda feel that as we've only moved a month or so ago and as this is our home now so we should embrace Christmas abroad! 

This is the type of Christmas we are used to!

Also, both of our beloved mothers are visiting us from the UK and Sweden. Problem is I'm not feeling Christmas-y at all. It's quite hard to when it's 28 degree's and cloud less sunshine outside. In a desperate bid to feel festive I thought I'd put the tree up. 

Now, wanting to but not being able to spend a fortune on nice Christmas decorations and trimmings - because we don't see the point not being sure if we'll be here next Christmas. It was a budget Christmas tree for us this year. We bought a cheap tree for 150dhs and most of the decorations from Carrefour. The quality of some of the decorations was terrible and I know there'll be that annoying cheap glitter in our eye brows for weeks. However, when some of the baubles cost 1 Dhs for 4 you can't really complain about the quality. 

My tip for decorating a tree on a budget is kept it neutral, stick to a few colours, I opted for cream and gold to minimise the cheapness factor looking...well cheap. Then what I did was add a few expensive decorations as 'features' at the front of the tree and all things considered I think it turned out pretty well.