At first, £49,750 (Dh287,580) sounds like a ridiculously reasonable asking price for a house – until you realise it’s made from gingerbread, not bricks.
But then again it will be covered in 150 South Sea pearls and a five-carat Mozambique ruby, and made to look exactly like your own home.
The idea was dreamed up by a luxury goods company and will be produced by the London-based, Le Cordon Bleu-trained baker and patisserie chef, Georgia Green, 23, who has been described as a “baker to the stars”.
“The gingerbread house concept was proposed to me by the company VeryFirstTo,” says Ms Green, who set up her London-based business, Georgia’s Cakes, just over a year ago.
“They came up with the idea and asked if I was interested in being the chef who would create it. Obviously I jumped at the opportunity.”
And it is by no means the first luxury Christmas creation from VeryFirstTo, a members-only service which allows users to be the first to know about and purchase luxury items. It sells both products (such as bags, cars and watches) and experiences such as holidays.
Last year the company was selling what it claimed was the world’s most expensive Christmas wreath, worth US$4.6 million and adorned with 16 rubies and 32 diamonds. And in 2012 it sold the world’s most expensive Christmas dinner at $195,703.
This year’s offering, the gingerbread house, which has an option to add more pearls for an additional cost, will be made using eggs produced by Prince Charles’s company, Duchy Originals, in addition to Sri Lankan cinnamon and Echire butter from France.
Ms Green estimates that it will take five working days to produce the house, which will measure roughly 65cm by 35cm by 45cm. The order must be placed three weeks before Christmas to give her enough time to make it. And delivery is extra.
However, if you cannot afford the gingerbread house, Ms Green can make one – minus the jewels – for a fraction of the price.
“People can order anything they like from me – so yes, if someone would like a house without the jewels they are still able to have one,” she says.
“I would say personalised gingerbread houses would start at least at £150.”
q&a that takes the cake
Georgia Green reveals more about her fledgling venture, Georgia’s Cakes (georgias-cakes.co.uk):
How long have you been a baker?
I have done baking professionally for two years, however being one of six children I had to come up with a lot of ideas on entertaining my siblings and found that cooking cakes was the best way.
How long have you owned your own business?
I created Georgia’s Cakes just over one year ago when my cakes became very popular. I don’t have a shop of my own but I work from a delicatessen where I create all sorts of baked goods and savoury food.
You were in the news after you created a cake for supermodel Cara Delevingne and are described as a baker to the stars. Which celebrities shop at your store?
Our regular customers have included Helena Bonham Carter, Tim Burton, James Corden, David Mitchell and his wife Victoria Coren. All of them have said how much they enjoy my food.
It has been reported that you can order the gingerbread house to look like your own, is that true?
Yes, before I pursued my career in cooking I was going to study architecture at university. I think and work very logically and [in a] mathematical way, which is why I match with patisserie and baking quite well. Therefore I think that building any shape or form out of gingerbread would be a challenge, however, I will be able to do it.
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Banned items
Dubai Police has also issued a list of banned items at the ground on Sunday. These include:
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Political flags or banners
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Bikes, skateboards or scooters
BUNDESLIGA FIXTURES
Saturday, May 16 (kick-offs UAE time)
Borussia Dortmund v Schalke (4.30pm)
RB Leipzig v Freiburg (4.30pm)
Hoffenheim v Hertha Berlin (4.30pm)
Fortuna Dusseldorf v Paderborn (4.30pm)
Augsburg v Wolfsburg (4.30pm)
Eintracht Frankfurt v Borussia Monchengladbach (7.30pm)
Sunday, May 17
Cologne v Mainz (4.30pm),
Union Berlin v Bayern Munich (7pm)
Monday, May 18
Werder Bremen v Bayer Leverkusen (9.30pm)
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
The Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index
The Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index
Mazen Abukhater, principal and actuary at global consultancy Mercer, Middle East, says the company’s Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index - which benchmarks 34 pension schemes across the globe to assess their adequacy, sustainability and integrity - included Saudi Arabia for the first time this year to offer a glimpse into the region.
The index highlighted fundamental issues for all 34 countries, such as a rapid ageing population and a low growth / low interest environment putting pressure on expected returns. It also highlighted the increasing popularity around the world of defined contribution schemes.
“Average life expectancy has been increasing by about three years every 10 years. Someone born in 1947 is expected to live until 85 whereas someone born in 2007 is expected to live to 103,” Mr Abukhater told the Mena Pensions Conference.
“Are our systems equipped to handle these kind of life expectancies in the future? If so many people retire at 60, they are going to be in retirement for 43 years – so we need to adapt our retirement age to our changing life expectancy.”
Saudi Arabia came in the middle of Mercer’s ranking with a score of 58.9. The report said the country's index could be raised by improving the minimum level of support for the poorest aged individuals and increasing the labour force participation rate at older ages as life expectancies rise.
Mr Abukhater said the challenges of an ageing population, increased life expectancy and some individuals relying solely on their government for financial support in their retirement years will put the system under strain.
“To relieve that pressure, governments need to consider whether it is time to switch to a defined contribution scheme so that individuals can supplement their own future with the help of government support,” he said.
BlacKkKlansman
Director: Spike Lee
Starring: John David Washington; Adam Driver
Five stars
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
Women’s World T20, Asia Qualifier
UAE results
Beat China by 16 runs
Lost to Thailand by 10 wickets
Beat Nepal by five runs
Beat Hong Kong by eight wickets
Beat Malaysia by 34 runs
Standings (P, W, l, NR, points)
1. Thailand 5 4 0 1 9
2. UAE 5 4 1 0 8
3. Nepal 5 2 1 2 6
4. Hong Kong 5 2 2 1 5
5. Malaysia 5 1 4 0 2
6. China 5 0 5 0 0
Final
Thailand v UAE, Monday, 7am
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
EA Sports FC 25
Developer: EA Vancouver, EA Romania
Publisher: EA Sports
Consoles: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4&5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S
Rating: 3.5/5
Expo details
Expo 2020 Dubai will be the first World Expo to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia
The world fair will run for six months from October 20, 2020 to April 10, 2021.
It is expected to attract 25 million visits
Some 70 per cent visitors are projected to come from outside the UAE, the largest proportion of international visitors in the 167-year history of World Expos.
More than 30,000 volunteers are required for Expo 2020
The site covers a total of 4.38 sqkm, including a 2 sqkm gated area
It is located adjacent to Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai South
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MATCH INFO
Barcelona 2
Suarez (10'), Messi (52')
Real Madrid 2
Ronaldo (14'), Bale (72')
Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
German intelligence warnings
- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
Business Insights
- As per the document, there are six filing options, including choosing to report on a realisation basis and transitional rules for pre-tax period gains or losses.
- SMEs with revenue below Dh3 million per annum can opt for transitional relief until 2026, treating them as having no taxable income.
- Larger entities have specific provisions for asset and liability movements, business restructuring, and handling foreign permanent establishments.
Analysis
Members of Syria's Alawite minority community face threat in their heartland after one of the deadliest days in country’s recent history. Read more
Brief scoreline:
Liverpool 2
Mane 51', Salah 53'
Chelsea 0
Man of the Match: Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
The Brutalist
Director: Brady Corbet
Stars: Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, Guy Pearce, Joe Alwyn
Rating: 3.5/5
