Eid Al Fitr holiday in Dubai on a budget doesn’t sound as the right thing to do. Before all, we live in a city of superlatives where everyone is spoilt for choice when it comes to eating out, shopping and entertainment. In addition, Eid Al Fitr is traditionally the time to celebrate with family members and close friends. People usually visit each other and exchange gifts.
Well, there are quite a few reasons to trim your budget for Eid Al Fitr holiday in Dubai this year. One of them is that the public holiday marks also the beginning of the summer holiday season when most people travel abroad for longer vacations. Another reason to opt for Eid Al Fitr holiday in Dubai on a budget is the increasing cost of living. From cinema tickets to restaurant meals, most of the entertainment options are now more expensive than they used to be a year ago. If you are single or in a family of two, that it’s fine. But if you are a member of a larger family or changing jobs, think twice!
Eid Al Fitr public holiday for government employees will likely begin on the first day of the coming week. People will enjoy a week long break to relax and celebrate. Private sector workers will likely get an extra day off work and will have to return to their working places only by the end of June. Either way, there will be at least seven days off work.
Short trips to nearby cities might be challenging during the summer months in UAE, but if you have a car with strong aircondition it is manageable. Some beach resorts in Fujairah and Abu Dhabi offer luxuries that you can enjoy at relatively affordable prices if you book a room here.
Usually, the most common place you can socialize is the mall where retailers are gearing up to cash on the festive spirit by running Eid special promotions or limited edition products. Restaurants and coffee shops are even scarier money eaters during public holidays, as they will charge extra for festive meals while in exchange you will add more to your waistline.
If you are not keen on spending much and joining the crowds at the shopping malls, the best things to do during the Eid Al Fitr holiday in Dubai could be quite simple, enjoyable and relaxing.
First of all, sleep more. In recent years, life in the city has become very stressful due to the ever increasing pace. People can often find themselves working long hours even during the weekends. So, get advantage on the few non-working days and rest. Sleep as much as you can.
- Read more: Staying Healthy in a Big City
Swimming and other activities by the beach are also relaxing and enjoyable in the late afternoon hours, or early morning. Walking on the sand and eye-wandering in the open space of the Arabian sea helps releasing stress.
Organizing, rearranging and cleaning your home is another refreshing activity you can embark on, and it will condition your attitude towards more positive thinking. Once you are done with tidying up, you will feel happier that you have completed a few tasks that you have been postponing for some time. Clearing the clutter on your desk, or in your wardrobe, often lifts the mood and helps making plans. Here is a book you must read, if you are not yet convinced.
Watch TV and listen to music! For some people, watching TV has become a luxury not so much because of the high cost of OSN, but because of their busy work schedules. Guess what, if you don’t have a few hundred TV channels at home, you can still watch most popular films and TV shows online. Here is tip: Subscribe to a 30-day free trial of Showtime.
Listening to high quality classic music is also important and can improve your mood. It is not the same as listening to Virgin Radio while you are stuck in traffic on the way to work.
Embark on exploring the ever changing city of Dubai by using public transport. You can switch options between superbly air conditioned metro and water taxis. It is quite interesting and comfortable too. You can reach Ibn Battuta by metro, or hop on a boat from Dubai Marina to Dubai Creek and back.
Call your friends and relatives, even if you don’t have many and even if some of them are so far that Skype is the best way to reach them. You can always invite them to meet, to visit you, or go to the cinema together. Friends and family should always be on the top of your priorities list. Being nice and caring to people is a very important factor for a happy life.
