Ahem. It's the 25th September, which means....

[FellatioNelson]

That I hereby declare the Fellatio's Poncetastic Christmas Thread Part 4 open for business.

For those of you who do not know WTF I am on about, read this from 2010 by way of explanation:

OK, first of all, I know it's still September by we need to start this thread now because as you all know, having a truly Poncetastic Christmas involves precision planning, strategy, bravery, heroics, and frequently martyrdom. A bit like the war in Afghanistan, only with nicer food and sparkly shoes.

So, if you, like me, actually want to make the next twelve weeks of your life a misery by hand-crafting your cards, finding a huge bucket for Nigella's turkey in brine, pickling pears, shrivelling oranges in a low oven for those rustic au naturel decorations, dragging half a holly bush back from the woods, and just generally being a smug annoying jobsworth ponce, join me on this thread.

Feel free to post photos of previous tree-trimming, cake icing or table centrepiece triumphs, discuss this year's bauble colour themes, debate the merits of Delia versus Gordon, road-test a selection of canapes and cocktails, (all in the line of duty) and link to lovely inspirational photos/craft ideas for a truly Poncetastic Christmas.

Warning: If your idea of a good Christmas involves Pizza, ITV, gravy granules or anything with 'Aunt Bessies' on the packet, this is not the thread for you.

If you want to read the previous three threads for Christmas 2010, 2011 and 2012 search my name in the Christmas topic.

In the words of the great Mike Reid from Runaround, G-G-G-G-G- GO!

[OwlBeThereForYou]

Still trying to sort out what I want to do for our wreath, more fresh holly and foliage or more ribbon and decorations. Need to sort that soon! Getting the fruit soaking started today ready for stir up Sunday...I know you could really start them a lot sooner for maturing, but I can't help but love having a traditional day for baking!
Also started writing Christmas cards, determined to have them posted ready for the beginning of December

[WaitingForMe]

This year doesn't feel very poncy! We could do with a project like they have in S&B and in the diet forums.

Something like a craft, a bake and a buy for each of the next four weekends?

[MooseyMoo]

Ooh ruby that sounds lovely. Silly question... What's a hot press? I think I will try scenting some pinecones

I've made:

Limoncello
Never Ending Vanilla Essence
Pickled onions
Mincemeat (Delia's receipe)

[TheFutureSupremeRulersMum]

bumping for CakeisyourFriend

[CakeIsyourFriend]

Bless you supremerulersmum! I am only a quarter of the way into the thread and I've already had to stop reading long enough to place an ocado order with the extra ingredients I need for homemade mincemeat

[DoubleLifeIsALifeOfSorts]

I am waiting for felting needlIng equipment to come in the post, I thought I'd try and make some cute little characters for stockings. Originally I was searching for a way to make the Pontipines from ITNG as you can't buy them, but I've realised that I'll never get it done before Christmas as there are so many of the little blighters.

[DoubleLifeIsALifeOfSorts]

Hot press = airing cupboard btw, usually said by those living in Ireland :) I think it sounds nice but makes me think of ironing rather than airing!

[MooseyMoo]

Thanks Double. Thought it sounded like they were being ironed too!

[CakeIsyourFriend]

Ok, you poncetastic ladies, a question for you.

How long do you reckon this will last...

Christmas decoration

[WaitingForMe]

2-3 days?

I had an epic day. I did a Christmas craft workshop and made a wreath and a centrepiece (will just replace the greenery as needed. They look amazing if I do say so myself.

First party is tomorrow and I just pulled a golden cake out of the freezer to defrost. So effortless

I'm very on the ball with organisation this year but can't shake the feeling I'm missing something really obvious. Hmm...

[CakeIsyourFriend]

I've just made homemade mincemeat for the first time. I am dubious about the amount of suet in it. We shall see...

Impressed with the poncestastic day waiting

[Rubybrazilianwax]

Ponceyness is definitely lulled a bit! But quite a bit of my ponceyness will be my decorating and wrapping/general gift assembly.
I have taken a notion to make some sort of cake stand something like these , for the kitchen table.
Waitingforme, pick a tin of gloss spray up in a florists and it will keep your greenery looking lush

[WaitingForMe]

Thanks for the tip Ruby!

This evening I wrapped my (fake) foliage up the stair banister and added lights, baubles, homemade decorations and an advent garland. Looks lovely.

Then I completely stripped the tree I decorated last night because the bulbs died and DH has bought more. Can't face adding new lights and am getting a bit bored of it all. I suppose it's a good thing we're having the party, otherwise I'd probably let it drag for a week.

Looking forward would it be mad to try and make my own cheese and crackers for Christmas? I have the Lakeland cheese book but have never tried it before.

[Rubybrazilianwax]

Making your own cheese does sound like the very extremes of poncetasticness! I wouldnt know where to start myself but you might as well give it a go

[HerrenaHarridan]

How's everyone's poncetastic Christmas preparations going?

I'm currently wrapping presents and making cranberry sauce

[HerrenaHarridan]

And simmering my red cabbage

[HerrenaHarridan]

Oh and my favourite poncetastic idea this year is... Printing pictures of dd (2yo) to stick on gift tags so she can recognise her own presents