UAE residents splurge on decor to get spooky this Halloween

Halloween fans in Dubai are spending thousands of dirhams to make their house the spookiest one on the block as they welcome trick-or-treaters today.
Residents shared photos of their Halloween-themed decorations with Khaleej Times, with many opting for witch hats, pumpkins, cobwebs, zombies and ghost décor.
Miriam Jarvais, a British mum of three in Al Furjan community, said she had spent nearly Dh4,000 in the past two years for Halloween decorations.
"This year, I've put up 'chopped legs' outside my house, as well as clowns, zombies, talking witch, cobwebs, light features, spiders, rats and everything else that will spook the children out," she said.
"I just love Halloween because it's in autumn and that's my favourite time of the year. It's so fun to dress up the kids and decorate.
"I've decorated the exterior of my house so the kids will know where to come for trick-or-treating. I don't really have a budget when it comes to decorating. I buy new decorations every year and it just accumulates. I order in some from the UK and buy some from Dubai."
A community affair
Many communities in Dubai, especially those with villas and townhouses, set a period for parents to get together and take their kids out for trick-or-treating.
Social media helps bring residents in these communities together. Some form Facebook groups to organise a specific time for events as such.
Jarvais said parents and kids in Al Furjan will be going out for trick-or-treating at 5.30pm today.
For others who have kids that aren't old enough to go trick-or-treating, their children's nurseries put up Halloween decorations to get the young ones into spirit of the occasion.
Fernanda Oliveira, a Brazilian expat with a three-year-old, said her child's nursery spent Dh800 on decorations. And it gave children an opportunity to wear their Halloween costumes. "My child, who is only three years old, couldn't wait to wear her witch dress and show to all her friends.
"We didn't decorate our house but we enjoyed a lovely Halloween party held in the nursery. It's important to have such events to give us the chance to get to know the kids' parents and have a proper chat with them. "I enjoyed seeing my child helping her friends find some sweets hidden around the nursery."
Even at the salon
A British salon owner hired an events company to decorate her salon, spending Dh2,000 on the service. Scary-faced pumpkins and ghosts made of nets are welcoming customers this Halloween.
The owner, Kate Darling, said: "Halloween is a fun time for all as it brings children and adults together to enjoy the festivities. It gives people a chance to dress up and embrace the Halloween spirit.
"We love celebrating with our clients and perfecting their look for their Halloween outfits."
The sales representative at Party Centre, Elaine Solana, said: "Halloween is now getting quite popular in Dubai as more and more people are taking an interest in celebrating it. We generally see a person spending dh300 on average at the Halloween decorations. We opened our store in 2004, and for the last 15 years, we have seen the business grow gradually with time.
"Halloween has become one of the most popular events in the UAE. Both the kids and adults are equally interested and excited for this event. It is a way to get two communities together, a super exciting process of cultural exchange where you can dress up and become who you want to be for a day.
"This year Disney Maleficent, the Superheroes are quite in demand. At the same time, the joker fever is still high on people's mind as the most famous villain couple Joker and Harlequin are other major trends in demand for Halloween this year."
sarwat@khaleejtimes.com