We can all feel it — the days have been announced, the flags are everywhere, and people are just a little different. Some are smiling in a way you only see on holidays, others have that quiet festive mood we all remember from childhood, waiting for Santa to appear by the fireplace.

And while we have spoken many times about how National Day is celebrated — the fireworks, the official ceremonies, the public events — the real stories have always stayed behind the curtain. The family moments, the small rituals and the personal traditions.

So I went digging for them. All the warm, honest, personal stories people shared online — to give you a genuine “insider” glimpse into how National Day feels in everyday homes across the UAE.

Online, people keep saying the same thing: National Day is the perfect excuse to be close to the ones you love. The extra days off make it even easier — especially for those living abroad who fly back to spend time together under one roof.

More and more people admit that they “don’t see the point in spending half the day stuck in traffic for the big public celebrations — even if they can be fun for some.” Instead, they prefer staying at home, keeping things cosy and calm.

One Reddit user, TheMarow, put it perfectly:

"I have started hating going out for anything. The country gets way too crowded during these days, and the traffic is impossible. So as a family, we began hosting our own celebration at home. We decorate the outdoor space with National Day themes, invite our extended family and neighbours, and organise competitions and traditional games."

While scrolling through forums and social media, I noticed another unexpected pattern: board games. It surprised me at first — they are not an essential part of the tradition — but they have become a lovely way for families to spend the day together.

So what exactly do people play? The most common choices are trivia quizzes and cultural riddles, testing each other’s knowledge of UAE history and heritage. Local board-game shops say that in the lead-up to the holiday, the most popular walk-in purchases are titles rooted in regional culture — with Tarneeb, Trix, and Hokm topping the list.

Another core element of home celebrations is passing down memories and stories to the younger generation. As Hajar Al Raeesi, Staff Writer at Gulf News, explains:

"Elders recite patriotic poems and tell stories, and the family plays trivia games about UAE history to instil pride in the young ones."

Instagram is full of similar scenes — grandparents stirring a pot of harees (a wheat-and-meat dish) with their grandchildren, preparing the dinner together, or teaching kids patriotic poems and songs to perform for the family. If you have Emirati friends, you have probably come across those videos of children practising the national anthem for school or family celebrations. My friend who has a kid shared:

"They also prepare for National Day at school — a small celebration with activities, national food and bouncy castles. All the kids came in traditional clothes too, which made it a really sweet, immersive experience."

Like any celebration, National Day has its own flavours — dishes that instantly bring that sense of warmth and togetherness. If you want to recreate that feeling at home, here are the classics you will find on most Emirati tables.

Start with Al Machboos — a beautifully fragrant rice dish that reminds some people of biryani. Made with basmati rice and your choice of chicken, lamb, or fish, it is simmered with saffron, cardamom, and dried lime, giving it that deep, unmistakable flavour that defines Emirati comfort food. Next up is Thareed, a hearty stew of meat and vegetables poured over thin Emirati flatbread. It is usually made in large trays so that everyone can dig in — perfectly capturing the communal spirit of National Day. And finally, Al Harees: a slow-cooked blend of wheat and chicken or lamb, simmered for hours until it turns velvety smooth and comforting. It is one of those dishes that feels like a family gathering in a bowl.

As one Reddit user put it, it tastes just as good freshly made as it does two days later — so you can start prepping early and enjoy it all weekend.

"It is amazing straight from the pot, and just as good two days later — nutritious, filling, and perfect as a snack or a proper meal."

And then come the desserts — because what’s a UAE holiday without sweets?

Luqaimat is your go-to treat — and not just on special days! These crispy, golden dough balls (basically the Emirati take on doughnuts) are coated in date syrup or honey, and they’re easily the star of most National Day dessert tables. One handy tip from the internet:

"Don’t cover them while they are hot — the steam makes them soft. Let them cool uncovered, or give them a quick 30-second refry to keep them crunchy."

Balaleet is a sweet-and-savoury classic made with vermicelli cooked in saffron, cardamom, and sugar, then topped with a thin omelette. It might sound unusual at first, but it is a true staple — comforting, nostalgic, and loved across generations. And for our vegan readers, there is Khanfaroosh — light, fragrant fritters infused with saffron and rose water, then fried in ghee until crisp on the outside and soft inside. A beautiful balance of texture and flavour, and a perfect finish to a National Day spread.

And of course — dates. No Emirati celebration feels complete without them. If you are in Dubai, head to the old Deira Fish Market — not just for dates, but for a lot of other wonderful finds too.

Flags are, of course, a huge part of National Day — you’ll see them everywhere, whether you’re driving down a boulevard or sitting in a café near home. But why are they the symbol of the holiday?

In the UAE, the flag isn’t just a piece of fabric. It represents unity, pride, and a shared national identity — and with Flag Day coming just a few weeks earlier, the festive mood easily carries over.

As one Reddit user puts it:

"People spray those fake snow cans on cars and on each other during traffic. They decorate their cars with the UAE flag, and even non-Emiratis wear traditional clothes with UAE-coloured scarves."

Another insider wrote simply:

"National Day decorations are the best part — the whole country turns into a flag."

But flags are only the starting point. The colours — red, green, white and black — show up in everything. Some people wrap their cars completely, others string flag-coloured lights across balconies and gardens. Many families also hang up the artwork their children bring home from school — and since schools go all-in on National Day, most living rooms end up looking like mini galleries.

And then there is the clothing. Technically it is not “decor”, but it definitely adds to the atmosphere. Festive abayas, kandoras, embroidered jalabiyas for girls, tiny kandoras for boys, and those little UAE-flag pins and scarves — they all bring a lovely sense of celebration into the day.