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December 22, 2025
My weirdest Christmas: my family had a picture-perfect celebration
I grew up in a Muslim family in Dubai, but became obsessed with the Hallmark vision of Christmas, and with Macaulay Culkin. The reality was a disappointment only Home Alone could assuage
TL;DR
- The author, raised in a Muslim family in Dubai, yearned for a Western Christmas after watching Hallmark movies.
- He also had a crush on Macaulay Culkin and associated Christmas with him.
- His mother decorated a large tree and created a mountain of presents.
- On Christmas morning, the presents were revealed to be empty tissue boxes.
- His mother explained they didn't celebrate Christmas, and she focused on the aesthetic.
- Disappointed, the author eventually received a Game Boy and watched 'Home Alone'.
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