Family Fun For Mother’s Day
UAE Mother’s Day falls on Tuesday, 21 March this year, so what do you have planned, mamas? Whether you are spoiling your own mum or hoping that the kiddos and hubby will be spoiling you, we’ve rounded up 10 ways to make some memories together. And if you are busy on the day itself (a Tuesday this year) with drop-offs, pick-ups and endless kiddo activities (we know how it is, mamas!), why not wait until the weekend and then have a fabulous family day out?
When it comes to creating memories in the UAE with mama, waking up to a stunning sunrise over burnt orange desert dunes has to be right up there – but if thoughts of pitching a tent and cooking al fresco fill you with dread (especially if there will be kiddos in the mix), this company will put together a bespoke package for families. No need to make a mad dash to a store to buy the kit either, as Arabian Adventures will provide everything you need – from the tent, to your evening meal. And one thing is for sure – the whole family will remember it forever!
Read more: Sassy Mama’s Guide To The Best Animal Adventures In & Around Dubai
Have you been to Be Bar yet, mamas? Now is the perfect time to step inside this chic salon, as the company are offering a complimentary treatment for mamas and daughters when the words “I Love My Mum!” are mentioned at the time of booking throughout March. So whether you choose blow-dries, braid styling, nail services, or massages, you can both enjoy a treatment and only pay for one. Head over before Friday, 31 March to snap up this deal – and get ready for some quality time, with a heavy dose of chat, pampering, and mama/daughter bonding. Sounds pretty perfect!
Be Bar, Villa 594, Jumeirah Beach Road (+971) (0)4 321 2348. www.mybebar.com
Read more: How To Throw The Perfect Spa Birthday Party At Belle Enfance
Get the whole family moving with a family trip to discover the new Dubai Water Canal, whether it’s by bike, scooter, or foot. With 12km of cycle track to explore, however, we recommend you take the bike option (hire beforehand at Wolfi’s Bike Shop in Al Quoz if you don’t already own the gear or buy gorgeous classic bikes from The Movement if you really want to treat mama and the fam). And while you are peddling, sightseeing, and chatting away as a family in the sunshine, you’ll be making the best kind of memories.
Dubai Water Canal, Jumeirah.
Read more: Life in Dubai: 14 Reasons We Love Our Desert City
You’ll (or the hubster) will need to book ahead for this one as we’re sure it’s going to be a sell-out! Mary Poppins is coming to Dubai Opera between Monday, 1 May and Thursday, 25 May 2017; a successful collaboration between Disney and Cameron Mackintosh. If you haven’t yet visited Dubai Opera, you’ll need to trust us on this mamas – treat yourself to tickets or hint, hint, hint for the kiddos to get them for you and you’ll be creating memories you will always treasure.
If you love whipping up a storm in the kitchen then why not book a bespoke cookery class at chic studio “The Chef’s Palette” at Fairmont The Palm? Classes can be created based on your wishes with the hotel’s resident chef, so participants can learn to create specific dishes, perfect a particular style of cookery, or simply master a few new tricks in the kitchen. Bring along friends and family members for the ultimate gourmet experience (minimum booking is 6 people at 550 AED per head) – and when you’ve finished creating your dishes, you can all sit down together to enjoy a one-of-a-kind meal together. Sounds amazing!
Fairmont The Palm, Palm Jumeirah. (+971) (0)4 457 3457
Read more: Shower a Mama-to-be with Treats and Pampering at Fairmont The Palm
Grab your Mama, drive to her favourite spot in the city, and settle down to enjoy the ultimate picnic – and let Jones the Grocer do all the hard work when it comes to the prep! Take your pick from several ready-made picnic hampers – or create your own from the array of delicious deli food, baked goods, and sweet treats. From ready-made sandwiches brimming with filings, to slabs of artisan cheese on fluffy farmhouse-style bread, to stacks of gooey cookies, to refreshing fresh juices – this is the perfect way to make her day special. Now you just need to decide on where to lie out that picnic blanket…
Read more: Picnicking Spots In Dubai
There are plenty of photographers in the UAE, but we love the concept from this talented Dubai-based snapper (and Sassy photographer!). Book the family photo shoot package and Lidiya will email over a questionnaire to find out what makes you feel especially happy as a mama. She’ll then create a photo shoot to capture those precious memories, whether it’s a morning making pancakes and playing in the garden at home, or heading to the beach to paddle in the shore and build sandcastles, or walking the dog together in the desert. After the photo shoot, you’ll receive an online gallery and beautiful slideshow of over 40 edited images, plus a photo book, if you opt for one – and believe us mamas, the memories she captures are precious!
Read more: Best Gifts for Photography-Loving Parents
Want to treat your mama to brunch? Forget busy brunches in giant hotels – and opt to make those memories at Mint Leaf Dubai, where a relaxed Saturday afternoon brunch awaits on Saturday, 25 March. With panoramic views of the Burj Khalifa and iconic Downtown skyline (remember your camera, mama!), you’ll be treated to a six-course a-la-carte menu (vegetarian or non-vegetarian, your choice) of traditional Indian cuisine. The perfect way to treat busy mamas!
Saturday, 25 March. From 195 AED per person. Mint Leaf Dubai, 15/F, South Tower, Financial Towers, DIFC (+971) (0)4 706 0900. www.mintleaf.ae
Read more: Best New Brunches in Dubai
If mama loves to boogie, this concert at The Irish Village (Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium) will have her reaching for her dancing shoes for the ultimate night out – especially if she happens to be a fan of UB40 (there’s a rat in my kitchen...). Taking place on Thursday, 30 March, UB40 (featuring Ali, Astro and Mickey) will be playing a series of their biggest hits to the crowd (and we bet that crowd will be singing along loudly to the likes ‘Red Red Wine’ and ‘I Got You Babe’). And that’s not to mention the fantastic food and drinks on offer, meaning mama gets to head back in time and let her hair down for the evening…
Thursday, 30 March at The Irish Village, www.theirishvillage.com
Want to head away to celebrate Mother’s Day, mamas? Ask long-time UAE residents for their recommendation of the ultimate staycation in the region and they will often come back with “Sixth Senses Zighy Bay.” Why? Well it’s something to do with the incredibly luxurious private villas and pools, complete with a personal butler. But it’s also a lot to do with the stunning setting, located on the northern Musandam Peninsula (think mountains on one side, turquoise ocean on the other). But one thing is for sure – mama isn’t going to forget this break any time soon!
www.sixsenses.com/resorts/zighy-bay/destination
Read more: Travel Mum’s 5 Spring Break Offers For Families, 5 Emirates In 5 Weeks: A Staycation in Fujairah
