No I have about ten reviews 
I have been doing almost everything people have suggested, favourited, saved searches, check multiple times a day, I always send individual applications - I’m looking for a city so it is very popular.
I wanted to check if there was anything else I have missed, thank you for your reply :))
Right- Maybe they will list a bit later there 
You could always go one step further and apply and message a HO in Dubai when they list some new dates i.e ones before Xmas stating you will withdraw your application for these dates straight away but wanted to message to open the convo to know if they will have Xmas dates and that you will be available etc.
Best of luck 
It’s 50/50 on people leaving the Middle East at Xmas as it’s such a nice temperature that time of year (we lived out there for a few years), a lot will have family visit. Or they alternate years which means you might have been on the bumper year last Christmas and this is the one everyone is visiting Dubai so less sits. If you haven’t tried already, extend to Abu Dhabi too & maybe Muscat or Amman, both of which are fab cities (lot more gritty than Dubai) #middleeastloverhere
I have saved searches for southern US, particularly Florida for winter months. When one is posted for FL, during Jan or Feb, it gets 5 applications within 24 hours so I am always searching. I just found one today, but I check my saved searches several times a day as that area goes quickly. I think that is all you can do. I lost one because HO had several dates and someone else was willing to do more than one of her dates. So I am getting very particularly about my application.
Depends on where you want to go. I get invited back a lot, with hosts offering me a bunch of dates that haven’t been listed or checking with me sometimes when they’re considering travel. Like my current hosts travel a lot and have asked me to consider multiple repeat sits and so did the hosts of my most recent sit, in Florida. They even said I could bring my husband and father-in-law for Christmas sitting if I wanted.
That’s probably the easiest way to get sits, because there’s no competition, no effort. But I rarely do repeats, because I like variety.
It’s pot luck being quick enough to get a popular sit.
I’ve just confirmed an Xmas sit in a UK city. They told me one reason they chose me is that I told them when I applied that I was interested so I could visit family at Xmas. They explained that made them confident I would turn up and not change my mind about Christmas travelling or get a better offer. Could you add something to your application on definite plans to be in Dubai then?
I lost one sit I wanted, and ended up with a better sit, 2 weeks in mid Florida, with a pool. And the dogs are old and don’t have to be walked, just let out in a fenced backyard. So you keep trying and something turns up but you have to keep checking your saved sits all the time, if it is a competitive sit.