![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MLHQSQH2U5HNTC6G7PCLPZLDUA.jpg?smart=true&auth=44d6436a5308dcaf4cb76981700dcf087c98f391b450c6bc40d963c49a71ec99&width=400&height=225)
Another Grinch decoration at the front door
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/GKVTRIUKNNEOPB65SJ456IMLJM.jpg?smart=true&auth=e7285b67f88b1022c9e2b590c183d85ff7a24d363ba81c1e042907c07c7e387a&width=400&height=225)
Joe and Gaby Bracho live in a 16-villa beachside complex in Al Bahia, Abu Dhabi. All photos: Victor Besa / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/M36FZDZSAVHH7DUMT4F5MPQPPM.jpg?smart=true&auth=1827627b6a19696f7c40d297dc35bc22dc575fcd30204d8f75449d8c0aebbb39&width=400&height=225)
An inflatable Grinch at the entrance of the residence
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5EGQA2HBNJDQ3MOP3KDUEG6K4I.jpg?smart=true&auth=1a3fd49144fd95c839d3fef790abd5655d1179a1a991b23cbed12d5517fc21c9&width=400&height=225)
The Bracho's Christmas tree has ornaments made of glass and crystal
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4GDN7DR2KVBRVDX6B2OOOPIBC4.jpg?smart=true&auth=e13cb41ca6ca519b83050c406a43874702a8666f89c2fac0c40980875bc390e2&width=400&height=225)
View from the main door of the Bracho residence
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HG4NDB3FFRFUJDZ3ZVFD5OCKG4.jpg?smart=true&auth=fde7e6164d4547b5e9322c4358cb1f837f2b0316c5a071272accc4c7181fb631&width=400&height=225)
A quirky Santa's Elf figurine
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CR2Y3TG4EVCMRJV6GNJKHOJCSQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=cc26927894d3023cb2dfd4c55f2838979c8b6e7528e31cd963ef1e0c532ebb72&width=400&height=225)
Glass nutcracker figurines
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CHEL77II7BA53EUPEU724TQPRE.jpg?smart=true&auth=8e8ad5c02f980ba52aba25435410927ce3da0a20fad12872f7398d5019216006&width=400&height=225)
For the Bracho family, Christmas is above all a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LWNZCVRAWZABJMC5EHWKKABUKU.jpg?smart=true&auth=15af5ec7ad7bc3d213cede42c189fd7f34a1a58c2a11fc0535a2bdb697659ba6&width=400&height=225)
A Nativity scene under the Christmas tree
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/7A5AYIMOBVBY3IUQSQ466ISUPY.jpg?smart=true&auth=8fc7315d2e3e13498dabf1d0d7b7735aec88d82dab158201ab59e52dadfccce6&width=400&height=225)
Festive treats in the kitchen
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/FH76UJK5J5GHPPDSIFCGWIGODU.jpg?smart=true&auth=3bd70ce0c358e0bdd08431a6b073c210a8b5bf4e15b9b35b9e90556fd497602c&width=400&height=225)
Red, green and white decorations fill the living room
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/54ONSTVYWFFWDANX27LU4MJOBM.jpg?smart=true&auth=1e8ee6a2849bb996a2a90d51d03a9a733d68d675c2ae70564f3b929920dbc983&width=400&height=225)
North Pole signage beside the Christmas tree
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4QCUTFYIXJA27F72HT3ILWE5WY.jpg?smart=true&auth=bb50de7aa4c32324839708b2088511df526c4f359f13f135dfc26fd4b4f21a78&width=400&height=225)
The lights are tied with red bows for Christmas
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/37FL43F4JBH2ZCTHSGECDEGLKQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=525becc7a84ad90b26ed4e5f63afafc414d2f6d5b9277cf8f8b07f3b69865e56&width=400&height=225)
Christmas-themed stuffed toys and pillows
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/27KOTPUVQRGV7DCGE7SYLJ64X4.jpg?smart=true&auth=924dbe159a4a8ff4646c5f8909676aef5be6bebab365590912f809fb6d870fa5&width=400&height=225)
A Santa Claus ornament
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DNOLDEEU5NFVZETH5BKXOMDNUE.jpg?smart=true&auth=a685a157cfdd223292811fb3efcac4cbf128ce81d5f2845367e0cc852a6a0985&width=400&height=225)
Red candles line up near the main door
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/AEPYOCARIZGBNMNFWBI46PGOD4.jpg?smart=true&auth=59affe0b22bc20bcce339d9c8100d1a9c252d7aa307ce5891125e62715fd5359&width=400&height=225)
Twinkly light projections are set up across the living room where Gaby works
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/75EWGUAO5ZAGNLCJR5CLBDALSY.jpg?smart=true&auth=b09cdbd4e86f7722b2e1f35c71e81730623f92ee407a03c426dc70f7cb1b073d&width=400&height=225)
The dining area
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OVTTPJKDOJB6VHKK7B5Z7TBA6E.jpg?smart=true&auth=ef4b16f29f5a0a6d288aeb6c378d43fd18029f660eaab638e881c8297bf2c1f5&width=400&height=225)
Joe dresses up as The Grinch for a family photo taken in 2019
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/R3O7LM6EQBFKVBT3332VK4WMVI.jpg?smart=true&auth=fc576cc90455b987890e826bbeb724cbcca18c5716541c026c97dfeaf8e6a9ba&width=400&height=225)
Gaby's favourite Christmas character is The Grinch
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/662NM5ORKJFGBDJTN7BV7Y37FI.jpg?smart=true&auth=331f0a7705ead833b6f636dcbe3639c0b35d1e1e67678f7af6c36b4126ef3c77&width=400&height=225)
A Grinch decoration on the dining table
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MLHQSQH2U5HNTC6G7PCLPZLDUA.jpg?smart=true&auth=44d6436a5308dcaf4cb76981700dcf087c98f391b450c6bc40d963c49a71ec99&width=400&height=225)
Another Grinch decoration at the front door
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/GKVTRIUKNNEOPB65SJ456IMLJM.jpg?smart=true&auth=e7285b67f88b1022c9e2b590c183d85ff7a24d363ba81c1e042907c07c7e387a&width=400&height=225)
Joe and Gaby Bracho live in a 16-villa beachside complex in Al Bahia, Abu Dhabi. All photos: Victor Besa / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/M36FZDZSAVHH7DUMT4F5MPQPPM.jpg?smart=true&auth=1827627b6a19696f7c40d297dc35bc22dc575fcd30204d8f75449d8c0aebbb39&width=400&height=225)
An inflatable Grinch at the entrance of the residence
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5EGQA2HBNJDQ3MOP3KDUEG6K4I.jpg?smart=true&auth=1a3fd49144fd95c839d3fef790abd5655d1179a1a991b23cbed12d5517fc21c9&width=400&height=225)
The Bracho's Christmas tree has ornaments made of glass and crystal
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4GDN7DR2KVBRVDX6B2OOOPIBC4.jpg?smart=true&auth=e13cb41ca6ca519b83050c406a43874702a8666f89c2fac0c40980875bc390e2&width=400&height=225)
View from the main door of the Bracho residence
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HG4NDB3FFRFUJDZ3ZVFD5OCKG4.jpg?smart=true&auth=fde7e6164d4547b5e9322c4358cb1f837f2b0316c5a071272accc4c7181fb631&width=400&height=225)
A quirky Santa's Elf figurine
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CR2Y3TG4EVCMRJV6GNJKHOJCSQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=cc26927894d3023cb2dfd4c55f2838979c8b6e7528e31cd963ef1e0c532ebb72&width=400&height=225)
Glass nutcracker figurines
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CHEL77II7BA53EUPEU724TQPRE.jpg?smart=true&auth=8e8ad5c02f980ba52aba25435410927ce3da0a20fad12872f7398d5019216006&width=400&height=225)
For the Bracho family, Christmas is above all a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LWNZCVRAWZABJMC5EHWKKABUKU.jpg?smart=true&auth=15af5ec7ad7bc3d213cede42c189fd7f34a1a58c2a11fc0535a2bdb697659ba6&width=400&height=225)
A Nativity scene under the Christmas tree
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/7A5AYIMOBVBY3IUQSQ466ISUPY.jpg?smart=true&auth=8fc7315d2e3e13498dabf1d0d7b7735aec88d82dab158201ab59e52dadfccce6&width=400&height=225)
Festive treats in the kitchen
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/FH76UJK5J5GHPPDSIFCGWIGODU.jpg?smart=true&auth=3bd70ce0c358e0bdd08431a6b073c210a8b5bf4e15b9b35b9e90556fd497602c&width=400&height=225)
Red, green and white decorations fill the living room
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/54ONSTVYWFFWDANX27LU4MJOBM.jpg?smart=true&auth=1e8ee6a2849bb996a2a90d51d03a9a733d68d675c2ae70564f3b929920dbc983&width=400&height=225)
North Pole signage beside the Christmas tree
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4QCUTFYIXJA27F72HT3ILWE5WY.jpg?smart=true&auth=bb50de7aa4c32324839708b2088511df526c4f359f13f135dfc26fd4b4f21a78&width=400&height=225)
The lights are tied with red bows for Christmas
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/37FL43F4JBH2ZCTHSGECDEGLKQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=525becc7a84ad90b26ed4e5f63afafc414d2f6d5b9277cf8f8b07f3b69865e56&width=400&height=225)
Christmas-themed stuffed toys and pillows
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/27KOTPUVQRGV7DCGE7SYLJ64X4.jpg?smart=true&auth=924dbe159a4a8ff4646c5f8909676aef5be6bebab365590912f809fb6d870fa5&width=400&height=225)
A Santa Claus ornament
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DNOLDEEU5NFVZETH5BKXOMDNUE.jpg?smart=true&auth=a685a157cfdd223292811fb3efcac4cbf128ce81d5f2845367e0cc852a6a0985&width=400&height=225)
Red candles line up near the main door
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/AEPYOCARIZGBNMNFWBI46PGOD4.jpg?smart=true&auth=59affe0b22bc20bcce339d9c8100d1a9c252d7aa307ce5891125e62715fd5359&width=400&height=225)
Twinkly light projections are set up across the living room where Gaby works
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/75EWGUAO5ZAGNLCJR5CLBDALSY.jpg?smart=true&auth=b09cdbd4e86f7722b2e1f35c71e81730623f92ee407a03c426dc70f7cb1b073d&width=400&height=225)
The dining area
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OVTTPJKDOJB6VHKK7B5Z7TBA6E.jpg?smart=true&auth=ef4b16f29f5a0a6d288aeb6c378d43fd18029f660eaab638e881c8297bf2c1f5&width=400&height=225)
Joe dresses up as The Grinch for a family photo taken in 2019
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/R3O7LM6EQBFKVBT3332VK4WMVI.jpg?smart=true&auth=fc576cc90455b987890e826bbeb724cbcca18c5716541c026c97dfeaf8e6a9ba&width=400&height=225)
Gaby's favourite Christmas character is The Grinch
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/662NM5ORKJFGBDJTN7BV7Y37FI.jpg?smart=true&auth=331f0a7705ead833b6f636dcbe3639c0b35d1e1e67678f7af6c36b4126ef3c77&width=400&height=225)
A Grinch decoration on the dining table
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MLHQSQH2U5HNTC6G7PCLPZLDUA.jpg?smart=true&auth=44d6436a5308dcaf4cb76981700dcf087c98f391b450c6bc40d963c49a71ec99&width=400&height=225)
Another Grinch decoration at the front door
Festive homes: Abu Dhabi couple want daughter to inherit the joys of Christmas
Inside the Bracho family's residence in Al Bahia
One Carlo Diaz
21 December, 2022
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