Hanging up stockings has been a Christmas tradition for centuries.
They're typically put up on Christmas Eve and filled with food, gifts and toys – by Santa, of course – but only for those who have been good.
Stocking fillers usually consist of small affordable gifts and toys along with essentials such as socks or handkerchiefs.
Fruit – usually oranges, satsumas or mandarins are included – along with nuts and candy canes. Recently, chocolate coins have become a favourite and stockings, whether bought or homemade, can be tailored to suit any budget or style.
Why do we hang Christmas stockings?
There are a couple of countries from where the tradition of hanging and filling stockings may have come from.
The Dutch shoe tradition is one possibility and dates back to the Middle Ages.
In the Netherlands on St Nicholas Day (December 6), children would fill their shoes, usually a clog, with food gifts for the saint – such as nuts and fruits – and put them by the fireplace. In return, St Nick would leave edible treats, such as mandarins, and gifts.
Italy is another country where the tradition may have started from through Befana celebrations. In Italian folklore, La Befana is a kind old witch who delivers presents to children on Epiphany Eve (January 5 or 6).
Dating back to the 13th century, children would leave food out for La Befana, and receive small gifts in return.
In the US, Christmas stockings are mentioned in the 1823 poem A Visit from St Nicholas, also known as T’was The Night Before Christmas, by the American writer Clement Clarke Moore. "The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, in hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there," it reads.
Stocking traditions from around the world
In the Czech Republic, the stocking is hung on a window on the evening of December 3, so that Barborka (St Barbara) can fill it with sweets, fruit and nuts.
While stockings have become popular to hang at Christmas time in the UK and US, many cultures continue to use shoes instead to give and receive gifts.
In Ecuador, shoes are placed near a doorway and contain a list of toys children would like to receive; while in France, shoes are put beside the fireplace with a food gift for Pierre Noel, as well as a treat for his donkey.
In Iceland, children put their shoes on the windowsill for magical elves called "Olasveiners" to leave small gifts over 13 days.
In Puerto Rico, it is shoeboxes, not shoes that are used for the tradition. Little ones take grass from the garden and put it in shoeboxes under their beds on January 6 for the camels the Three Wise Men rode. In the morning, they hope to find the box filled with toys and treats.
What if you’ve been naughty?
If you didn’t make the nice list this year, you may find an array of not-so-nice items in your stocking. Across many cultures, including Italy, the UK and the US, a lump of coal is left in the stockings of naughty boys and girls.
Using coal as an anti-present was thought to have originated in the mid-19th century when many homes were heated by a coal fire. As such, Santa would have simply grabbed a nearby lump to put into the stocking.
Another theory is that the idea came from Charles Dickens’s 1843 novella A Christmas Carol, in which Ebenezer Scrooge wouldn’t even give Bob Cratchit a single lump of coal to heat his freezing office.
Gift ideas for her
Matryoshka doll pouch
This hand-embroidered velvet pouch by Powder Design is festive enough to give at Christmas and versatile enough to be used the whole year round.
Dhs184, www.boomandmellow.com
Christmas candle
This single-wick candle will fit perfectly in a stocking and the fresh pine, cinnamon and marshmallow scent will fill the home with a festive fragrance.
Dh69, www.bathandbodyworks.ae
Holiday hair clips
This three-piece Pinksettia hair clip set by Kitsch is handy to pop into any bag.
Dh65, www.sanddollardubai.com
Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream
The ultra-light cream works for all skin types and can be used morning and night.
Dh145, www.bloomingdales.ae
Crown dish
This versatile brass-finished catchall dish can be placed on a dresser to hold make-up or cosmetics, or in the hallway for loose change and house keys.
Dh93, www.westelm.ae
Gift ideas for him
Pill organiser
Perfect for those who travel a lot, or who simply need to keep track of their daily vitamins or medication, this Tidyard organiser sorts weekly supplements.
Dh33.79, www.amazon.ae
Patterned pyjama shorts
Thanks to their colourful old-school MTV logo, these pyjama shorts could double as beachwear, too.
Dh89, ae.hm.com
Bento box
If packed lunches have become a myriad of Tupperware boxes and sandwich bags, bring everything under control with this Binostar stainless steel bento box.
Dh40.50, www.amazon.ae
Small wooden tray
Made from mango wood, this minimalist tray is the perfect bedside mini-storage for loose coins, ear pods, watches and much more.
Dh35, ae.hm.com
Crew neck T-shirt
Available in 22 colours, a simple cotton crew neck T-shirt is a staple for any man’s wardrobe.
Dh49, www.marksandspencer.com/ae
Gift ideas for children
Gingerbread house mug
As part of Zara Home's children’s Christmas collection, this stoneware mug in the shape of a gingerbread house is simply crying out to be filled with hot chocolate.
Dh79, www.zarahome.com/ae
Bubble gun
Available in an array of colours, this bubble gun by Mumuso has 23 holes to create lashings of bubbles.
Dh22.90, www.theselection.ae
Storybook projector
Perfect for little ones, this projector by Mideer contains images of 11 traditional fairytales on discs that slide into the projector, along with an accompanying book. It also doubles as a nightlight.
Dh72.67, www.mumzworld.com
Hot chocolate bomb
Made from luxury Belgian chocolate, children will love watching the mini marshmallows pop out when hot milk is poured over them.
Dh25 each, www.godivauae.com
Mini bonsai grass head
This fun and educational gift from FDTY is perfect for children of all ages. Simply water these little characters and watch the grass grow. Hair trimming optional.
Dh49.89 each, www.amazon.ae
Farage on Muslim Brotherhood
Nigel Farage told Reform's annual conference that the party will proscribe the Muslim Brotherhood if he becomes Prime Minister.
"We will stop dangerous organisations with links to terrorism operating in our country," he said. "Quite why we've been so gutless about this – both Labour and Conservative – I don't know.
“All across the Middle East, countries have banned and proscribed the Muslim Brotherhood as a dangerous organisation. We will do the very same.”
It is 10 years since a ground-breaking report into the Muslim Brotherhood by Sir John Jenkins.
Among the former diplomat's findings was an assessment that “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” has “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
The prime minister at the time, David Cameron, who commissioned the report, said membership or association with the Muslim Brotherhood was a "possible indicator of extremism" but it would not be banned.
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Classification of skills
A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation.
A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.
The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000.
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
Read more about the coronavirus
THE SIXTH SENSE
Starring: Bruce Willis, Toni Collette, Hayley Joel Osment
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Rating: 5/5
The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
FIXTURES (all times UAE)
Sunday
Brescia v Lazio (3.30pm)
SPAL v Verona (6pm)
Genoa v Sassuolo (9pm)
AS Roma v Torino (11.45pm)
Monday
Bologna v Fiorentina (3.30pm)
AC Milan v Sampdoria (6pm)
Juventus v Cagliari (6pm)
Atalanta v Parma (6pm)
Lecce v Udinese (9pm)
Napoli v Inter Milan (11.45pm)
The alternatives
• Founded in 2014, Telr is a payment aggregator and gateway with an office in Silicon Oasis. It’s e-commerce entry plan costs Dh349 monthly (plus VAT). QR codes direct customers to an online payment page and merchants can generate payments through messaging apps.
• Business Bay’s Pallapay claims 40,000-plus active merchants who can invoice customers and receive payment by card. Fees range from 1.99 per cent plus Dh1 per transaction depending on payment method and location, such as online or via UAE mobile.
• Tap started in May 2013 in Kuwait, allowing Middle East businesses to bill, accept, receive and make payments online “easier, faster and smoother” via goSell and goCollect. It supports more than 10,000 merchants. Monthly fees range from US$65-100, plus card charges of 2.75-3.75 per cent and Dh1.2 per sale.
• 2checkout’s “all-in-one payment gateway and merchant account” accepts payments in 200-plus markets for 2.4-3.9 per cent, plus a Dh1.2-Dh1.8 currency conversion charge. The US provider processes online shop and mobile transactions and has 17,000-plus active digital commerce users.
• PayPal is probably the best-known online goods payment method - usually used for eBay purchases - but can be used to receive funds, providing everyone’s signed up. Costs from 2.9 per cent plus Dh1.2 per transaction.
The drill
Recharge as needed, says Mat Dryden: “We try to make it a rule that every two to three months, even if it’s for four days, we get away, get some time together, recharge, refresh.” The couple take an hour a day to check into their businesses and that’s it.
Stick to the schedule, says Mike Addo: “We have an entire wall known as ‘The Lab,’ covered with colour-coded Post-it notes dedicated to our joint weekly planner, content board, marketing strategy, trends, ideas and upcoming meetings.”
Be a team, suggests Addo: “When training together, you have to trust in each other’s abilities. Otherwise working out together very quickly becomes one person training the other.”
Pull your weight, says Thuymi Do: “To do what we do, there definitely can be no lazy member of the team.”
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
Defending champions
World Series: South Africa
Women’s World Series: Australia
Gulf Men’s League: Dubai Exiles
Gulf Men’s Social: Mediclinic Barrelhouse Warriors
Gulf Vets: Jebel Ali Dragons Veterans
Gulf Women: Dubai Sports City Eagles
Gulf Under 19: British School Al Khubairat
Gulf Under 19 Girls: Dubai Exiles
UAE National Schools: Al Safa School
International Invitational: Speranza 22
International Vets: Joining Jack
Avatar: Fire and Ash
Director: James Cameron
Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana
Rating: 4.5/5
Reading List
Practitioners of mindful eating recommend the following books to get you started:
Savor: Mindful Eating, Mindful Life by Thich Nhat Hanh and Dr Lilian Cheung
How to Eat by Thich Nhat Hanh
The Mindful Diet by Dr Ruth Wolever
Mindful Eating by Dr Jan Bays
How to Raise a Mindful Eaterby Maryann Jacobsen
The Settlers
Director: Louis Theroux
Starring: Daniella Weiss, Ari Abramowitz
Rating: 5/5
The specs
Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors
Power: 480kW
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)
On sale: Now
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
