Giant Christmas Trees Bring Festive Aroma

Christmas Pine Aroma in Dubai: Massive Canadian and Danish Trees Arrive for Festive Season

As the cooler December breeze sweeps through the streets of Dubai, the city adorns itself with red-gold festive decorations, while fresh, fragrant Christmas trees, hailing all the way from Canada, Denmark, and Holland, gather in one of Dubai's oldest and most vibrant districts, the streets of Satwa. The unmistakable scent of pine fills the mornings, drawing in crowds eager to choose the perfect Christmas tree for their homes.

Early Interest, Increased Demand

Festive preparations began particularly early this year. In past years, customers usually started showing up in the first week of December, but this time inquiries and reservations flooded in by late November. Many families showed interest in the trees well before the first containers arrived in the UAE. As December kicked in, demand surged, with some choosing magnificent trees, standing eight to nine feet tall, for their spacious homes while others opted for smaller, more practical solutions.

Danish and Canadian Giant Pines

This season's clear favorite is the impressive Danish tree import. These 8–9 feet tall trees have been popular every year, yet this year they received extra attention. The price for such a Danish pine hovers around 750 dirhams, but buyers are willing to pay as these trees create the perfect holiday ambiance.

Canadian pine trees are also sought after, particularly for their deep green color, dense branches, and longer freshness. With proper care, they can stay beautiful for up to 45 days, making them ideal for those who host frequent gatherings and dinners during the festive period. Both types emit a natural pine scent, considered essential by many for an authentic Christmas experience.

Smaller Trees for Apartments and Kids’ Rooms

Not everyone has a spacious living room or foyer where a giant pine can stand. Retailers had this in mind: this year, smaller, pot-grown pine trees from Holland are available. These compact trees grow to about two feet tall, making them perfect for smaller apartments, children's rooms, or even offices. Priced around 200 dirhams each, they can last beautifully indoors for 2–3 months.

Due to their size and mobility, these trees are especially popular among young couples, students, and families with small children, who often set them up as a second Christmas tree beside the main one.

The Journey of Trees to Dubai

It’s a little-known fact that these Christmas trees undertake a lengthy, multi-week journey before reaching customers' homes. After harvesting, they are packaged in nets and placed in refrigerated containers to preserve their freshness. Starting from Europe and North America, shipments take a 25-day sea route to the UAE, where they are stored in refrigerated warehouses.

From there, every morning, 30–45 fresh trees are delivered to street vendors in Satwa, where they are carefully unwrapped, with dry needles shaken off, ready to be showcased to prospective buyers. The chosen specimens are then repackaged to prevent damage during transport, ready to arrive at customers' homes in festive splendor.

Supermarkets Offering Pines

Fresh pine trees are not only available from street vendors but increasingly at supermarkets too. The selection here primarily includes smaller, 1-meter tall trees priced around 169 dirhams, along with some 2-meter specimens available for approximately 299 dirhams.

The significant advantage of supermarkets is their simple accessibility throughout the city, providing an option for those who prefer not to visit the market or wish to order their tree online conveniently.

Growing Presence of Christmas Culture

While a few decades ago, the Christmas spirit was less evident in UAE cities, the past years have seen more residents and visitors celebrating the year's end through their own traditions. In Dubai’s open, multicultural environment, Christmas has become a symbol of community building, family activities, and togetherness, regardless of one's religious or cultural background.

The arrival of Christmas trees marks not just a decoration event but the beginning of the festive period when the city's inhabitants shift to a more intimate, joyous rhythm.

Summary

The arrival of fresh Christmas trees in Dubai is a special event every year, but this season's demand, selection, and preparations surpass previous years. The Danish and Canadian pines, smaller Dutch pot-grown trees, and compact trees available at supermarkets all contribute to everyone finding their ideal festive centerpiece.

The logistics behind the trees, their careful storage, and personal service all illustrate that in Dubai, Christmas is not just a spectacle but a genuine experience—perhaps in the form of a fragrant pine tree.

(Source based on merchandise available in Dubai markets.)