Abu Dhabi hotel tones down Xmas tree this year

An opulent Abu Dhabi hotel which went overboard with an $11 million Christmas tree last year is now opting for a more modest display.

The National newspaper reported on Monday that this year's tree at the Emirates Palace hotel is decorated with foil ornaments wrapped with cloth ribbons, and with custom-made balls designed to represent the country's former pearl trade.

The beachfront hotel was criticised for bad taste last year when it loaded a 43-foot (13-metre) Christmas tree with ornaments that included gold, diamonds and sapphires.

It later said it regretted "attempts to overload" the Christmas tree tradition.

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