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Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

Original poster

All the homemade Christmas people over here please, lets share our ideas :)

944 replies

BabyDubsEverywhere · 29/08/2011 20:04

Do we have a 'Homemade Christmas Thread' going yet? Ive linked to last years below, I am determined to MAKE MAKE MAKE this year and bugger the responses Grin

I need a fail safe mulled wine kit to give people please if anyone can help, Thankyou :)

Last years thread!

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Original poster
BabyDubsEverywhere · 29/08/2011 20:16

I also need the idiot guide to making chocolate truffles and spices nuts :)

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CherryMonster · 29/08/2011 22:46

oooooh, spiced nuts!!!! especially spice glazed almonds, yummy!!!

chirpchirp · 30/08/2011 09:16

I'm a total Pinterest convert - it's so good for gathering ideas here is a link to my Christmas board full of cute things I intend to attempt make! By clicking on the pictures it takes you to websites where there are tutorials on how to make them.

pinterest.com/kirsty_wellburn/christmas/

Kveta · 30/08/2011 11:08

me too! pinterest.com/mouldygoldfish/christmas/ is my christmas board :o I think I've repinned a lot from yours chirpchirp

I have made 3 batches of flavoured alcohols so far -citrus whisky, blackberry vodka, and christmas pudding vodka.

will also be making a load of christmas cookies and sweets for more local friends. Need some slightly longer lasting ones for posting overseas though.

I'm going to get DS to help make christmas cards - some will be thumbprint ones, others will just be cut outs from paper he's painted/glittered. I have a lot of it kicking around, as he does like to cover a room in paint. sometimes we even get some on the paper!

JetLi · 30/08/2011 11:40

Envy pinterest - I am losing too many hours a day!

Has anyone made the cinnamon butter yet and how long would you reckon it keeps? I think it is a near perfect Christmas Day morning on-toast breakfast

rumpleteaser · 30/08/2011 11:51

I did homemade candles last year. Got glass paints, wax dye and scents off Ebay and bought cheap glass tealight holders from supermarket and painted them and dh found me the paraffin wax.
Wrap in celophane with a nice ribbon, lovely gifts!
If I figure out this Pinterest malarky I will upload pics!

OohThatsMyTractor · 30/08/2011 11:56

I shall be watching this thread with interest. I always make homemade presents and this year we are on a budget and it's always fascinating to hear other people's ideas, the spiced nuts sound brilliant!

HippyHippopotamus · 30/08/2011 12:00

chirpchirp woah, some brilliant ideas on there! i've just requested an invite thanks to your board!

chirpchirp · 30/08/2011 16:53

Hey Hippy, when you request it can sometimes take ages to come through, if you PM me your email address I'll send you a request and you can jump straight on.

JetLi - I made a tiny jar of the cinnamon butter the other day out of pure curiosity. Oh. My. God - it's like Christmas on toast! I can't see any reason why you couldn't start making it now as it won't go off (although you may eat it all) as long as it's kept in a cool place.

TimeForCake · 30/08/2011 17:29

chirpchirp and kveta I love your boards!
.

rumpleteaser · 30/08/2011 20:18

I'm struggling with getting my OWN pics on Pinterest! Bear with me! Can I follow you chirpchirp and kveta?

Original poster
BabyDubsEverywhere · 30/08/2011 20:30

Well i cant go on that Pinterest site again....I simply do nbot have enough will power to stop looking at it for hours and hours.....sure i had a couple of kids knocking round here earlier?? Grin

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Kveta · 30/08/2011 20:33

my pinterest seems to be down, which is annoying! maybe i have posted too many pins for the day :o i do spend every spare minute on it, planning parties, house, garden, etc etc. it's wonderful!!

please feel free to follow me :)

chirpchirp · 30/08/2011 20:36

Of course Rumple, the more the merrier!

rumpleteaser · 30/08/2011 20:38

Ok.. here is the ONLY pic of my candles I've been able to upload onto pinterest and I can't follow anyone right now because the website won't work! I've broken Pinterest! Sorry folks!

Am loving the cookie jar gifts and might be nice to personalise the jars.

rumpleteaser · 30/08/2011 20:39

Thanks! I will follow you if the website lets me!

Original poster
BabyDubsEverywhere · 30/08/2011 22:05

Is anyone giving hampers out this year? What are you putting in them? :)

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Bluetinkerbell · 31/08/2011 08:33

that Pinterest site is well addictive Grin spend the whole of last evening browsing around!

Think I have decided to make following for presents:
women: mix yourself cookie jars
men: chilli jam/jelly
children: fudge

chirpchirp · 31/08/2011 09:56

Yeah, sorry blue should have warned you about that!

UnwillingFlesh · 31/08/2011 11:41

I'm not sure I can claim to be a homemade Christmas person yet but can I join in if I'm aiming to be one this year? Have lost hours of my life to Pinterest in the last week!

JetLi · 31/08/2011 15:23

Thanks for that chirpchirp - have to make that now. I do have penchant for cinnamon Grin

I have done the bramble vodka. That was 10 minutes spent last night. 1 bottle vodka, 1lb bramble & 4oz of sugar. Hope it will be OK. Wished I'd used white sugar instead of the unbleached stuff but I couldn't find any on the cupboard without emptying the whole thing out.

Ocado are showing the dried figs at half price (85p-ish) for anyone wanting to do the fig vinegar. I meant to compare the price in Morrisons just now and forgot Blush

IwoulddoPachacuti · 31/08/2011 16:54

I had a bash at making raspberry jam today just as an experiment, and I think it turned out ok! Will be making jam foe the DC's teachers. I have also got some blackcurrant vodka on the go and will try making some other kind too, maybe cola cube?

Last year I made White chocolate, cranberry and orange fudge which was amazing! I wrapped it up in cellophane bags and it looked really pretty. Can't make it until you are about to give it as a gift though

chirpchirp · 31/08/2011 17:12

Mmmmm white chocolate fudge... amazing!

Haribojoe · 31/08/2011 17:17

Have been reading this thread today and it's inspired me to get creative this Christmas.

Am thinking of doing the brownies in a jar for the women and making skittles vodka (seperating the individual colours) so that people get several miniatures in different colours.

Have looked at some recipes for the vodka online but have a couple of questions.

How far in advance can I make the vodka?

What techniques do people use for straining it to remove the sediment?

Also thank you all for the inspiration Grin

Original poster
BabyDubsEverywhere · 31/08/2011 17:28

Skittle Vodka

I havent tried it yet but Im planning on following the link above to make my Skittle Vodka. I will be starting it in October I think, leaving it for a month to mix, and straining and decanting in November. Thats the plan anyway :)

Also doing a big batch of Thorntons Toffee Vodka, starting soon! About 6 bottles worth as gifts. Big barrel, sugar, loads of Vodka, loads of toffee......leave for a couple of months shaking regualry, strain and decant in November

Never made up more than orange squash before but feel quite confident that this will work Confused Grin

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