Random Christmas chat.

[lunar1]

I was reading through the Christmas topics and noticed that all the threads are very specific. Can we have a general chat thread for Christmas, without me being thrown on the bonfire in the proper chat topic!

It's ok if not I can always talk to myself about Christmas. I've just been to Costco and they have lots of their Christmas stock in. Can anyone think of a genuine reason why I don't need to buy the 8ft outdoor light up snowman? I also bought a tray of their mince pies which are warming up in the oven as I type

[ThoseArentPillows]

No reason at all not to buy the 8ft snowman!

I noticed Asda had some mince pies and christmas puds in but all of theirs contain palm oil which I refuse to buy so am on the hunt for some without. I've tried to make my own in the past but they weren't very nice so have given up and gone back to shop bought.

I'm trying to decide what to do about christmas tree lights this year. I love the old fashioned coloured lights with shades but need enough to cover my 6ft tree and can't find any as of yet. In the past I've used up to five sets of lights which is a complete nightmare.

[shakemysilliesout]

I want puff pastry mince pies but sainsburies only have short crust- however, on the plus side aldi have cranberry sauce in!

[MrsMinton]

I'm very excited about Christmas. I was looking at Poundland today as they have some things out already. The last few years have been a rush in the week before to do things due to money and health worries. This year is going to be different and I can't wait.

I think you need an 8ft snowman.

[WastingMyYoungYears]

I love M&S puff pastry mince pies .

[Chottie]

Does anyone else have a Christmas tree colour theme each year?

When DC were young our tree was always full of multi coloured decorations, but now we have a colour theme and take it through to the door wreath and crackers too.

In the past I've had green, gold and white; red and green; red, purple and gold; silver and white; silver and red; gold and silver. Does anyone have any other ideas?

[MrsMinton]

Silver and blue Chottie, an icy look for winter?
We have a manic tree with lots of things but I do have just white on my mantel.

[JerseySpud]

I am always excited about Christmas.

My mum was rather horrfied that i wanted to make my Christmas cake in October though....

Our Christmas tree is red and gold at the moment i think

[lunar1]

I have lime green and red, I started collecting it a few years ago and have loads now. I stock up in the January sales. I also collect bits for a lemmax christmas village in the sale.

I should mention that I have a 6ft light up snowman, maybe he does need a friend

[Chottie]

MrsM

We used to have manic tree too. I loved them.

[Chottie]

I love making stuff for Christmas, I've already made Christmas chutney and bottled shallots too.

[ClashCityRocker]

Cooplands brandy butter mince pies are in, which I am ridiculously excited about.

Our tree is red, gold and greens, so fairly traditional with lots of sparkly bits.

I'm torn between coloured and white fairly lights though. I'm sure I have this dilemma every year.

[MrsMinton]

Thanks Chottie

I am thinking of having a little tree this year in my porch or hall and decorating it in a colour theme.

[Itsfab]

ThoseArentPillows - I make my own mincemeat for pies every year. Sometimes I use bought pastry and sometimes my own but they are always delicious so it is all in the mincemeat. If you would like the recipe just ask .

OP it would be rude not to buy the 8 foot snowman, especially now you have said you already have a friend for him .

shakemysilliesout - make my mince meat and buy puff pastry. Win win .

JerseySpud - what is wrong with making your cake in October? Best done 3 months before but a few weeks shouldn't matter surely?

[misstiredbuthappy]

My tree is 7.5 ft its a deluxe one from b&q but I got it last summer for£30 I was over the moon. Takes alot of decorations an lights though, my decs aresilver, duck egg/greeney blue and white all for matching my livingroom.

this year I want some lights for my living room window, nothing tacky though. 4 people across the the road think their on the backpool illustrations strip I swear

Any idea where to get nice light's ?

[JerseySpud]

See my mum reckons i can make it 2 weeks before :O Where is the fun in that?!

[LikeSilver]

Itsfab I would love your mincemeat recipe please! :)

[Guitargirl]

My nigella Christmas book arrived yesterday so I have been biscuit planning!

It's interesting that she repeats several times about the importance of being relaxed and not so stressed that it affects the whole family....I need to try and remember that!

[MrsMinton]

Could I please have the recipe too Itsfab?

[dementedma]

Our tree is a multi coloured sparkly tat fest and I love it! I do the 3 Dcs presents in 3 different colours though which does away with fiddly gift tags. I think I will be trad this year with red, green and gold. Last year was purple,silver and blue.

[Vicky5910]

I love red and white for Xmas. We are red, green, white, gold... I used to be strictly blue and silver before kids but relaxed a little once the home made decorations started coming home from childcare settings :) they are usually red and green.
I had a mince pie today! Yummy!

[Umlauf]

I'll join with general Christmas chat! I'm working on some Christmas crochet projects so have been feeling festive for weeks now. I play carols as I crochet, I think the Christmasness of the music must somehow work its way into the wool.

A question for those with colour schemes that change every year (quite new to this having not had many christmasses at home yet) - doesn't it cost you a fortune in decorations?

Our tree is a little bare - we each buy one decoration a year, but we are still a newish family so don't have loads. They are all very precious though and each tells a story, however none match and DH has an appalling eye so we have some right tat from him.

Mincemeat made, although I don't like mince pies so am not inclined to bake any until I really have to.

[ThoseArentPillows]

Ooh yes please Itsfab that's very kind of you. I can't remember which recipe I used before but it just didn't taste right and I was really disappointed.

dementedma our tree could also be described as a multi coloured sparkly tat fest but we all love it too

[Itsfab]

Mincemeat. You will need a very large bowl -
this size
1/2lb, 8oz or 226g cooking apples
1/2lb, 8oz or 226g currants
1/2lb, 8oz or 226g stoned raisins
1/2lb, 8oz or 226g sultanas
4oz or 113g glace cherries
4oz chopped mixed peel
4oz shelled walnuts
1/2lb, 8oz or 226g shredded suet
1 lb Demerara sugar
2 teaspoon mixed spice
3-4 fl oz brandy or rum

Peel, core and chop the apples. Mix in a large bowl the dried fruit with the nuts and apples.

Blend in the suet, sugar and spice. Add enough brandy or rum to give a moist mixture.

Cover the bowl with a cloth and leave for 48 hours to allow the fruit to swell. Stir well and put the mincemeat into clean jars. Cover and seal as for jam.

I recommend every few days you turn the jars upside down then back again a few days later - and repeat- as the juice will run through and adds moisture.

[LikeSilver]

Yep, another multi-coloured sparkly tat fest tree here too but I wouldn't have it any other way :)

I do like a themed matching Christmas dinner table but that's as matchy as I get.

[JerseySpud]

Anyone else have a tinsel fest on their tree?