'Make your own' Christmas

[Doodlekitty]

Ok, ok, I KNOW its only June. But I'm due to give birth late October and as it's my first and I have no idea what to expect I want to be all sorted for christmas by the time baby gets here. I'm also going to have no money when I'm on Mat leave so want stuff bought while I'm working but also want to spend as little as possible.

Last year I made Christmas pudding rum for my FIL who has never shut up about it since ( I used this recipe, www.wikihow.com/Make-Christmas-Pudding-Flavoured-Vodka but rum instead of vodka, if anyone is interested)

I think I made it in about November last time, but I'm thinking, if I made it in July then it will just be more yummy wont it, as it just has longer to infuse. also, last year when i told MIL I binned the fruit I used she was horrified, so I'm thinking i might put this in a jar for her (obviously with another present) as she said it would be lovely with ice cream. What do you guys think?

Aiming, try jamjarshop.co.uk for bottles - they often seem to have bulk deals on. Vinegar bottles are good too - perhaps try freecycle in case anyone is making chutney and doesn't want their empty bottles?

Aiming, try jamjarshop.co.uk for bottles - they often seem to have bulk deals on. Vinegar bottles are good too - perhaps try freecycle in case anyone is making chutney and doesn't want their empty bottles?

I cant believe I missed this thread!! I have decided to do Christmas hampers for a few family members that are quite tough to buy for. Away to look back over thread again for Coffee mug style gift ideas...

Made toffee vodka tonight - its looking quite cloudy and bitty so will keep fingers crossed it works ok.

I want to make rasp jam tomorrow. Never made jam before so do I need a special pan or can I just use my big soup pan? Going to buy frozen rasps.

Also plan on making the Christmas Chutney, candied nuts, biscotti, peppermint bark and some type of fudge. Away to make a shopping list and plan when Im going to make all this.

The baileys and white choc fudge here is good but when I made it came out more like tablet than fudge...

ethelb please can you link or post the recipe for beetroot and chilli chutney?

Cuteable use the biggest saucepan you have, and try and use Jam Sugar. I follow the recipe on the bag and it works perfectly every time.

Does anyone have a strawberry + apple jam recipe? Have loads of apples and will make some apple chutney but I prefer sweet things so was thinking about jam, would have to buy some strawberries.

Zeeky thanks. made the jam tonight and seems to have turned out well. added some more sweets to my toffee vodka and soaking fruit for xmas cakes.

Now just need pickle/chutneys ideas. anyone have a recipe for pickled onions ? can anyone point me to the thread from last year?

Jars - i bought Asda smart price lemon curd - 22p and chucked out the lemon curd. poundland have screw top glass containers but they are quite big. im going to use them for brownie mix...

Alright I stepped into this thread way back in July promising myself that I would be all organised (hmph! ) So far I have crocheted one infinity scarf, got 2 to still do, I have frozen strawberrys in the freezer ready for adding to vodka and other than looking whimsically through pinterest(!!!!!) this is as far as I have got. So I have fetched my craft bag downstairs and I have had a sort through, i am telling myself to get on with another scarf tonight, no more dawdling about.
Tomorrow I will get on with the vodka and I want to have a go at some Baileys fudge recipe I have pinned.
I need to plan so once a week I am going to post what I have done on here then if I haven't done anything I will feel guilty enough by everyone elses delicious sounding posts to get moving again.

I spotted this recipe for hot chocolate on a stick on Pinterest yesterday. Looks easy to make and would make lovely small gifts for the neighbours and the kids' friends.

Loving this thread - it's taken me 2 days to catch up on it!

I'm going to make up the 'bake your own' jars and the cowgirl cookies. Thanks for posting about those!
I read somewhere about a similar idea for soup jars so going to google that as a pressie for my nana.

I've never made jams or chutney but after reading this thread I'm definetly going to plan for next year!

So weekly post........... and I have crocheted a cowl for my mum and have started a throw for PILS , haven't got around to anything foodie yet though.
This weeks plans are get my elf made and finish PILS throw and if I remember to buy the vodka I will try the strawberry version. Hows everyone else getting on?

alright. Though a bit horrified there are only 6 weeks til xmas. I still have to:
make puddings (Sainsburys 1/3 of baking stuff ends tomorrow)
finish sister's cowl
make DP and other sister's pajamas
Make hottie cover (felt so easy peasy)
sew beads on to advent calendar

Do you think I am going to make it? I had planned on making some decs too....

(On the plus side all chutneys/pickles are done, furoshikis are made, knitted hottie made for my mum and stocking fillers bought)

O.k so its Monday and so I am doing my update for myself, I have finished PILS throw but I didn't get elf made so this week I will tackle elf and whilst I am messing around with the felt I will get some small decorations made. I also need to get started on my last scarf to be made, I think I will leave anything foody for a couple of weeks as I am also working extra hours at work. Is everybody elses plans coming along nicely?

Wow ethelb I am impressed at pyjama making, do you follow a pattern?