Fellatio's Poncetastic Christmas Thread 2011 is.....

[FellatioNelson]

open for business. Knock yerselves out.

I love the idea of hand stitched stockings but (a la rhondajean) but found some lovely knitted ones in Home Sense. They also have an amazing range of stocking hooks (the big weighted ornaments that go on your mantlepiece).

A bit of a cheat but with 8 weeks to the wedding I can't do everything. I want a wedding that people remember like peachy, full of warmth. Going by comments it seems the food and lots of candles are where I should focus my efforts.

Oooooh Peachy, you could celebrate Saturnalia in your Roman fort!

Girly they do at the local Museum LOL, big party for it.

WaitingForMe: the memorable thing about the food was that it was simple but personal. The opposite of fancy high end dining yet still delicious and wonderful. Salads, cheeses, ham, bread- just good quality.

Just ordered a turkey. In October.

Feel VERY organised now LOL

Hey Peachy! Thought of you on Saturday - were you at Taunton Carnival? I meant to make big "Hi Peachy" sign and wave it! Am reliably informed by my hairdresser and a taxi driver that Bridgewater carnival is much better so we are planning on going to that too. DS really struggling since we moved and he really enjoyed the carnival here and wants to go to the Bridgewater one.

I have nothing done for Xmas this year although have bought some presents.

About to do list for Xmas cakes.

I made mincemeat last year and didn't use it all. Will it be ok this year does anyone know?

Went to Waitrose last week and bought a Heston big pud and a mini one to try but havent tried it yet.

Love this thread. Makes me feel all Christmassy!.

We were Buda were you there? We were on (actually I designed, with some from DH who did all the lights) the twenties / radio city float.

I am not on for Bridgy as I watch with Mum, but Dh and the boys are (boys on back messing about somewhat randomly with trumpets LOL), but if your son wants a look round float let me know and I can arrange for that. You might find north petherton better though- I do- easier parking, less breakdowns ( a lot of people's first night out) and a straight through route so tends to be smoother and less likely to extend past eleven (I kid not). NP is day after Bridgwater, the Saturday. Always do that one; only one my nephew gets to watch so nice to show off LOL.

Evening all. Intrigued by the sound of your Roman barracks Peachy -do you spend hours in the garden with a metal detector?!

Got a bit over-excited today and bought a copy of House Beautiful's "Beautiful Christmas". Can I recommend nobody follows suit - lots of pretty pictures, but absolutely nothing in it that we wouldn't have thought of ourselves. Am happy to post it on to anyone if they want it though!

Fellatio - do they have real trees where you are now? And what is the time difference between there and UK?

Hi everyone, better comment as don't want this thread to drop off my active list!

CiderwithBuda - I have just made my mincemeat this weekend and Delia says it will keep indefinitely but is best used within a year. I suppose it depends on what it was stored in and where?

I can't wait for Christmas to hurry up and get here - I feel like I have a huge list of things to make/buy but I don't want to get it all done now as part of the fun is doing things in December with carols etc.

Have wrapped and sent off Xmas presents to my niece and nephew. Felt weird using xmas paper as have wrapped a lot of B'day presents recently. Bought on Amazon some board games and Sylvanian families stuff for DD so awaiting delivery - so excited. Can't wait to get Halloween and bonfire night out the way so i can really get my teeth into Christmas

Barry not really LOL; have 4 boys, they dig everything anyway

TBBH it's not trated as special here- school is built over part of Barracks and the amphitheatre is free to visit do ds2 (10) and his mates play hide and seek there all the time. I swear anywhere else and it'd be famous.

Can anybody recommend a mincemeat recipe? I have decided that shop bought simply won't do this year!

I have made Delia's. Have tasted it and it seems nice! Can't go far wrong with Delia I always think - her Christmas cake is good...

I agree about the cake...mmm! Ok, done. Delia's mincemeat it is!

Sounds really lovely Peachy, imagine having an ampitheatre in your back yard, kind of beats a trampoline I think!

Not sure about mincemeat Starshaped, but another vote for Delia's cake from me.

Went to HomeSense yesterday in search of new additions for my decoration collection, but only ended up buying a new chopping board and a present for ds3's stocking. I have, however, sourced (ie, asked my friend) a new place to nick my Christmas holly from so will go and case the joint, or something like that, in good time.

How's everybody's else's preparations coming on?

There was a recipe on this thread last year for mincemeat that I wrote down, made two jars of and then put the piece of paper in a safe place. The mincemeat was lovely and I ended up having to make extra batches of mince pies but of course I have no idea where the safe place is

Ahh I grew up where you live peachy. Lots of lovely memories

Really pink? we came here for the uni but were lucky to land here

I think Darina Allen has a recipe for mincemeat in one of her Christmas books and iirc it was very nice.

Evening all . I need your wise words! I have a lovely Polish friend who I would like to give a hamper of goodies to for Xmas. Question is: should I stock the hamper with luxury Polish or English goodies? Can't decide which option she would enjoy the most.

Impressed by the home-made mincemeat. I'm afraid I cheat and add a bit of chopped apple and a slug of brandy to shop-bought.

I have done an audit of all my crockery, glasses, table linens and serving dishes this week. And I have a long list of stuff to do during half term.

BarryStar - unless you know the Polish foods very well, I'd give British treats in the hamper. Or maybe a mix?

Don't give a Polish person Polish treats. Like coals to Newcastle.. British Christmas treats are yummy anyway.

I bought a poncetastic white ceramic fruit bowl filled with poncetastic pumpkin baubles in a range of colours from Cox and Cox. DH says it looks like a bedpan .

Just came on here to say a heartfelt thank you to all you Christmas-a-holics. It sounds so weird to write it down, but I can honestly say before I read this thread it had never really occurred to me that the way to achieve all the Christmas-ey things I wanted was to START THEM EARLY.
Sorry for shouting, but I have quite literally had an epiphany. Spent part of today continuing to make Christmas cards with DD1, and just finishing off a few of them now. Have a heap of handmade gifts made, and most of my wrapping materials have arrived. Have ordered a tonne of Christmas decorations (and about to order more once Dunelm Mill starts doing delivery again. Christmas doormat and hand towels, anyone? I say: Hurrah!)
Have made stockings for DDs. Planning to make Christmas bunting, too. Couldn't be happier.

Hello poncy ones :) please can I ask some advice, the holly is in berry here, do I gather it now and put it in silica gel to preserve the red berryness?

Thanking you in advance. :)