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What To Know
- A single outing or shared activity often stays with you longer than anything placed in a box, and that idea defines the way many people build their December plans.
- With under 30s making up around 55 percent of the MENA population, it makes sense that emotional gifts now sit at the front of many lists.
- This festive stretch across Dubai has a clear theme and you can feel it from the way people talk about their plans.
Concerts, staycations, and shared outings take over gift lists as residents plan a more personal holiday season.
This festive stretch across Dubai has a clear theme and you can feel it from the way people talk about their plans. When was the last time you heard someone stress about wrapping something for a friend? These days the real conversation circles around outings, short trips, or tickets to something fun. New data from Platinumlist outlines this clearly, with 74.4 percent of UAE residents now picking experience based gifts. If you look around, this direction seems natural, especially in a month packed with events across the city.
Residents focus on memories during the season
People continue to shift toward gifts that come with moments they can remember. The data shows that 64.1 percent choose these options because they want lasting memories, while 20.5 percent say these gifts feel personal. Have you ever looked back at a season and realized that the parts you remember most involve people rather than items? That idea sits at the center of this trend and matches what many residents mention when planning their December schedules. With under 30s making up around 55 percent of the MENA population, it makes sense that emotional gifts now sit at the front of many lists. Studies point out that 65 percent of Gen Z prefer gifts tied to shared time rather than physical items.
Concert tickets lead the way for festive gifting
A large 63 percent of respondents prefer concert tickets when picking holiday gifts. You can see this through packed lineups across Dubai, from arena shows to smaller performances. When you think about how many people talk about live events long after they happen, it becomes clear why these tickets dominate so many conversations. Other choices still attract strong interest, with staycation vouchers at 18.5 percent, luxury brunches at 7.4 percent, adventure activities at 3.7 percent, family attraction passes at 3.7 percent, and spa vouchers at 3.7 percent. Have you noticed how many friends set aside time for quick breaks or short bookings during December? That mirrors what the data shows about holiday spending, with 53.3 percent planning between Dh250 and Dh500 per gift. Another 43.5 percent keep monthly leisure spending under Dh500, while an equal percentage plan for Dh500 to Dh1000.
Dubai residents plan their leisure time around shared activities
Almost nine in ten residents expect to attend a live event during the next long weekend. When you think about how busy the city becomes in December, that number fits the overall mood. Many residents also mention interest in new formats, with 23.1 percent eager to try immersive theatre for the first time. Another 15.4 percent show interest in cultural or heritage tours, which often appeal to people who want something grounded in the region. When you look at this data, you start to see a larger pattern forming. Experience based gifts now appear several times a year across many households. According to Platinumlist CEO Cosmin Ivan, the direction toward experience driven formats continues to expand across entertainment and hospitality spaces, especially when residents look for activities they can repeat or share with others.
Residents across Dubai continue to steer their festive choices toward moments they can enjoy and remember. If you think about your own plans, have you already leaned in the same direction without realizing it? A single outing or shared activity often stays with you longer than anything placed in a box, and that idea defines the way many people build their December plans. The numbers point to a season built around connection and time with the people who matter. Dubai already offers countless ways to enjoy something meaningful, and residents clearly know how to make the most of it.
