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Growing up in Canada I lived in a city we called ‘Winter-peg’ because it is very cold and often covered in snow. So, this time of the year we would already be thinking about the festive season because we were hibernating, cold and bored.
However, there is an unwritten rule that there would be no holiday talk until after Halloween and only then could the inhabitants start focusing on the festive season.
In Bahrain, it is harder for me to get into the same seasonal spirit because there is no snow and few reminders in malls, shops or basically anyone wanting to cash in on the occasion.
Therefore, I am on a ‘merry mission’ to help GulfWeekly readers to kick-start the festive feeling with this holiday advice:
l Start with the home: Nothing says Christmas more than the smell of pine, a crackling fire, baking from the oven or crisp cold winter air. Body and Body Works now have some tree-mendous festive fragrances for the holiday.
You will find fragrances like Winter Candy Apple, Merry Marshmallow Kiss, Twisted Peppermint and Vanilla Bean Noel. The prices of the Daily Trio are Shower Gel – BD6, Body Lotion – BD6 and Fine Fragrance Mist – BD7.500.
l Start shopping for him: Men can be very hard to buy for so it is best to start early and find something unique. Massimo Dutti’s Seef Mall location has just finished its interior renovations with the help of its world-renowned Spanish designers. It now provides for a luxurious and inviting shopping experience. Right now it has its full autumn/winter collection on display which provides for great gifts for that ‘special man’ in your life:
The detailed 100 per cent burgundy lambskin leather jacket is perfect for special events and parties with a buttoned tab on the collar, front fastening and logo zipper that has two side pockets with adjustable waistband and is fully lined with an inside pocket for important valuables.
* Gifts for her: Pamper yourself before the holiday rush and step into Beautify Me. This sumptuous spa is conveniently located in Juffair down American Alley and it offers fabulous services which include a manicure and pedicure for BD10, Moroccan body scrub for BD15 and the popular Brazilian blowout starting at BD90.
During my recent visit, I found a unique gift for the person who ‘has everything’, the amazing new MiraCurl Pro by Babyliss for BD45. It has pioneering auto-curl technology to effortlessly create beautiful, free-flowing curls that are long-lasting. Hair is drawn gently into a ceramic curl chamber where it is softly held and gently heated from all directions to form a perfect curl.
I let them demo it on me and it really worked, it even has an ‘anti-tangle’ safeguard (thank heavens) because I did not want to walk out wearing the machine.
* Holiday Host Gifts: The world of Joe Malone is celebrating British-style with unexpected fragrances like Frosted Cherry & Clove. This is rich with winter spices and will set the tone for the season. The Christmas collection is now available in City Centre Bahrain. The store carries host gifts immaculately wrapped in signature boxes with charm and a dash of wit and whimsy.
