Every year, as the month of Ramadan draws to a close, we look back and reflect on the spirit of the holy month and all that it embodies. And one of the primary values that we try and live by is giving back to society and indulging in charitable causes.

And in the spirit of Ramadan, Discounter announced earlier in the month that for every redemption on our app, we are donating AED 1 towards a charitable cause. And we owe you a BIG thank you for your overwhelming response.

So, here’s what we did with your donations along with our own contributions.

Our ‘100 meal’ charity programme was aimed at the blue-collar community in the UAE and saw our team members joining hands and putting together over 100 Iftar meal boxes packed with dates, dry fruits, juice, croissants, and chocolates. This was distributed to workers and laborers across the Al Qouz area.

And the response was heartwarming. There is no greater reward to one’s good deeds than smiles of joy and satisfaction! We are grateful to be in a position to be able to take up initiatives of this kind and will continue to create a change with every action.

The initiative reflects the incredible volunteering spirit of Discounter employees who want to give back to the society we reside in and operate from. This also ultimately encourages them to create a positive impact on the community in their own personal capacity.

Don’t fret that you don’t have much to do now that temperatures are rising and the greatest show of all time – Expo 2020 has drawn to a close. This magical city keeps on giving! 

The glamorous side of Dubai is the one we usually see but the city truly transforms into the mecca of culture during the holy month of Ramadan and we urge all our readers to check out all of these places and indulge in the rich culture, history, and tradition that UAE offers! 

1. Revel in the beauty of the Grand Mosque 

It features 82 domes, more than 1,000 columns, 24-carat-gold plated chandeliers, and the world’s largest hand-knotted carpet. The main prayer hall also boasts one of the world’s largest chandeliers. 

So this is one you certainly don’t want to miss when exploring Dubai’s cultural assets. 

So this is one you certainly don’t want to miss when exploring Dubai’s cultural assets. 

2. Explore the Old Markets of Dubai

‘Souk’ or ‘Souq’ is an Arabic word that literally translates to ‘market’ in English.  They are traditionally open-air outdoor markets with a maze of alleys, enticing you with fragrant spices, exotic teas, shiny luxurious silks, and the finest carpets. 

The first souks of Dubai are as old as the 1850’s thanks to the port city’s accessibility. Goods arrived via the trade routes from Africa, South East Asia, and beyond, hence the markets of Dubai have always been a grand display of cultures and traditions from all over the world. 

Some of the popular markets you should visit are – Deira Gold Souk, Spice Souk, and Souk Madinat. But the one we highly recommend you don’t miss is the Ramadan Night Market at Za’abeel Hall World Trade Centre Dubai. The market has over 400 outlets for shopping. They also have a host of interactive workshops, special areas designated for kids, henna counters, and more!

3. Celebrate Ramadan with scrumptious Iftar meals

Iftar is the traditional meal that is eaten when Muslims breakfast as the sunsets. And you too can relish these meals while in Dubai! There is a slew of restaurants around the city offering delicious spreads of lavish 3-course meals, frequented and loved by locals and tourists alike and we highly recommend you to indulge in the same! 

But, if you would really like to taste the authentic Middle-Eastern Iftar, check out the tent style camps set up in the middle of the desert. It is truly surreal to enjoy and partake in an Iftar meal amongst the sand dunes with the local Emiratis just like their forefathers did! 

There is also a great pick of restaurants on the Discounter app where you can save up to 50% off on dine-in for all your friends and family! Here are a couple of our favourites: Broccoli Pizza, Shawarma Hut, Shah Ghouse Restaurant, The Hub 7 and so many more. Download The Discounter app, check them out and save $$$ with our special code! 

4. Shop till you drop with a lesser crowd

Ramadan also translates to a quieter time during the day. This means you have all day to shop in malls without the hassle of jostling your way through throngs of people. Our favourite haunts are Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates, and Deira City Centre. And if you want to experience the lively side, then just wait until the clock turns 9 and watch the mall come alive. You will experience a full mall at 2 am!

Also, head on to City Walk and take a stroll around the high-end boutiques – the gorgeous designer stores dotting this beautiful shopping destination. And if you want to immerse yourself in the local culture and architecture, don’t miss walking around the Al Fahidi area and then taking an abra ride to get across the canal during sunset. 

5. Marvel at Franco Dragone’s Masterpiece

The impressive La Perle is an aqua theatre located in the heart of Dubai and is a celebration of the city. It tells the story of its origins and journey through a spectacular show of dance, music, and jaw-dropping acrobatics. La Perle is the brainchild of the legendary Art Director Franco Dragone, renowned for his past roles as creative director for Cirque du Soleil and A New Day in Las Vegas with Celine Dion.

The atmosphere that engulfs the audience at La Perle Dubai is one of intense drama and action and is likely to transport you away from the dunes of Dubai into a world of magic and wonder. So be sure to take your family out to see this, because this show is bound to captivate children and adults alike! 

Most of all, Ramadan is about giving and you too can partake in this generous gesture. There are multiple organizations donating to charitable causes across the UAE and we are proud to say Discounter is also one among them. For every redemption on our app, we donate AED 1 towards multiple charitable causes. So go on now, download the app and redeem any one of our 1000s of offers for FREE! 

A few days separate us from 2022 and many of us haven’t yet set our resolutions in stone. So, we thought we could help you prepare yourself for an awesome year! Let’s dive in right away.

There are the usual and common resolutions of getting fit, starting to save money, or reading more than the previous year. These are all fine resolutions, but let’s be honest, how many times did you make them, then lost track and/or motivation and ended the year without actually achieving them? This year should be different; after all, it is 2022 and that only can make it unique and memorable.

We have a plan for you to stay on track ? 

Step One: create a list of all the things you wish to do this year. 

Step two: prioritize them. 

Step Three: divide each one into smaller goals or tasks, so that they become more achievable.

Step Four: set a time frame for each of the smaller goals. 

Step Five (and our favorite): be kind to yourself about the plan and as flexible as you can. This does not mean that you get to slack or that you stop being critical of yourself. On the contrary, it means that while criticizing yourself; you shouldn’t be too aggressive, you should take into account the circumstances you passed through, and you should allow space for your mental health. Also, it is good to keep in mind that perfection is an illusion and that even if you fall off track, you can always jump right back up.

Step Six: document your progress and every little achievement. This helps your motivation more than you could imagine. 

Step Seven: reap the fruits of all your hard work. 

Now that you know all the steps to keep your resolutions intact, we thought we could offer some suggestions as well.

• Fitness Goals: whether you need to lose weight, get into shape, build muscles, or eat healthier; don’t forget to check The Discounter app for all the offers you might need.
• Gratitude or Memory Journal/Jar: This is also a favorite because it is easy to achieve and its effects are long-lasting. Keep a notebook, journal, or even jar where you write at the end of every day or the important, memorable days. Jot down any important events that happened during the day, your feelings, things you are grateful for, etc., and watch how this betters your overall appreciation of life. At the end of the year, open up the jar or the notebook and look back at how much stuff you managed to survive and accomplish this year. Thank us later ? 
• Mental Health and Self-Care: Remember that taking care of yourself is not selfish.
• Wardrobe Change: We can’t say no to a resolution that involves shopping ?
• Keep Track of Your Health: The coronavirus is sadly still around, which makes this resolution more vital than ever. Go to your regular checkups, eat healthy foods (especially immune-boosting foods), take your vitamins, and don’t forget to check The Discounter for offers related to all of these.
• Make More Memories, Visit More Places, and Take More Photos: you don’t even have to travel to do this, so it shouldn’t be too hard to accomplish. The Discounter also boasts a large portfolio of offers on all types of activities.
• Start Budgeting & Saving: Important tip: always check The Discounter before going out. Our deals are all year-long and unbelievable helpful to stay on budget.
• Declutter: your home, your wardrobe, your office. Whatever you don’t need could be given to charity; which helps you with the next couple of goals.
• Give More to Charity and/or Support a Good Cause: a little goes a long way when it comes to charity.
• Be Less Wasteful and More Sustainable: help yourself, your community, your country, and our planet.
• Read More and Listen to More Music: don’t forget to feed your soul while hustling around during the year. Also, try what works best for you, there are no rules: read hardcovers, PDFs, online blogs (like this one ?), or even listen to audiobooks… just don’t slack on this
• Learn a New Skill: it could be anything: cooking, playing music, a new language, sewing, decorating, etc. 

The Final Step (Step Eight): don’t forget to have fun and enjoy yourself. What good is all this if it only makes you miserable? ?