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Christmas

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

Original poster

Random Christmas chat.

96 replies

lunar1 · 21/09/2014 16:11

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 typeGrinGrin

OP posts:
glenthebattleostrich · 21/09/2014 19:08

Could I have your recipe please too Itsfab? I'm making mince pies for the first time this year.

I love Christmas. I'm starting to plan our Christmas week now, super exciting :)

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 21/09/2014 19:12

No tinsel but I do try to put something on every branch (it's colourful but not subtle) Grin

A couple of years back, I wanted some of the warm white lights I'd seen on peoples trees (rather than the very bright white). DH bought some from Amazon but they were orangey with white wires so couldn't go on my tree.

I start planning our days out (not that the blighters in my house appreciate it Hmm )

This year, I plan to be very organised and have as much as I can done by early December. Then the days when I am out shopping won't be a mad sprint round trying to get through queues, cursing at the crowds.

I like to bake and do my own shopping rather than online.

And I need to get waterproof shoes for the DC

Itsfab · 21/09/2014 19:22

glen it is posted above.

Pollywallywinkles · 21/09/2014 19:24

I bought 2 Christmas presents yesterday; I dont normally start until December.

We've had coloured theme decorations for years now. We used to have the random explosion and homemade by a little one tree, but as DD got older we went with a colour theme.

BrieAndChilli · 21/09/2014 19:28

We have white and red and silver, real tree which we go and pick from the forestry commission, I've started planning what we are going to do on what day in December. Ds2 presents are stated so need to start months other two. I love Xmas!

TheOnlyPink · 21/09/2014 19:59

Remember the cath kidston Christmas organisers we all night last year?

I got mine out last night and started making a few lists. I'm done on present ideas for the kids, just got to wait for the right prices!

When do you need to make a Christmas pudding? Going to try delias recipe this year. Fannie Craddock suggested 1st Jan for the following December, but I think alt of her methods are mental dubious.

MrsMinton · 21/09/2014 20:05

Jersey we tried tinsel last year but didn't have a lot so it looked odd. Is thick or thin better??

Thank you for the recipe itsfab

JerseySpud · 21/09/2014 20:09

Thick tinsel is best! lots of t with random coloured baubles

MrsMinton · 21/09/2014 20:12

Thank you. We have lots of random baubles Grin

glenthebattleostrich · 21/09/2014 20:29

Thanks, for some reason my post didn't post for ages. Bloody tinterweb in this house is being silly.

Where is the best place to get tinsel, does anyone know? I'm planning on tinselifying anything that stays still long enough (it's one way to make DH look festive). I'd love some really thick and lovely stuff just no idea where to start.

Itsfab · 21/09/2014 20:39

TheOnlyPink - Stir up Sunday for the pudding.

Itsfab · 21/09/2014 20:41

5 weeks before Christmas Day.

dementedma · 21/09/2014 20:44

We have some very thick, very sparkly silver tinsel which catches and reflects all the fairy lights. Lovely

JerseySpud · 21/09/2014 21:06

I think thats the best thing about tinsel though, it reflects the fairy lights!

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 21/09/2014 21:18

I'm going to hang tiny mirrors (I think Hobbycraft or The Range have them ) in the branches to reflect the lights.

That'll be another thing to put on the list - glueing ribbons on mirrors.

Original poster
lunar1 · 21/09/2014 21:36

Oooh, I like the mirror ideaGrin

OP posts:
MrsMinton · 21/09/2014 21:40

Me too, great idea 70.

Lariflete · 21/09/2014 21:44

I make all my mincemeat and Christmas cakes myself and I really want to make a Christmas pudding but no-one else likes it Sad
Any ideas for a nice Christmas Day dessert for fussy eaters (FIL, BIL and DH)?

TheWoollybacksWife · 21/09/2014 22:00

I made individual christmas puddings last year with pudding bowls from Lakeland. If you search the Christmas topic there is a thread started by me asking for a recipe and someone very kindly supplied one. I don't eat Christmas pudding but DH said it was fab but he is very polite Grin

2anddone · 21/09/2014 22:08

Hi everyone I am sat here watching Gavin and Stacey Christmas special and reading the mn Christmas topic, feeling very festive [sgrin]

Missus2ndwife · 21/09/2014 22:13

When should I make my Christmas cake and mincemeat?

I'm due end of October and would like to get it made before then, but worried that's too soon.

ThoseArentPillows · 22/09/2014 09:20

Thankyou so much for the recipe Itsfab Flowers
I'll make that at the same time as I make my Christmas pud this yearSmile

Missus2ndwife I think you can make your cake as early as you like as long as you keep feeding it boozeGrin

And Itsfab's recipe says to gently turn the jars your mincemeat is in to coat the mixture with the juices. I think this may be where my recipe failed in a previous attempt as mine ended up very dry with not a lot of tasteSad

WellTidy · 22/09/2014 09:25

We have two Christmas trees, one in the hall and one in the family room.

The one in the family room is very much mine, and I will only allow white or silver decorations on it. I have a huge collection, added to every year.

The tree in the hall is for the DC and they can put anything and everything on there. We always buy at least one new decoration for that tree every year, and my intention is that they can have them when they move out (in years to come!) and they will already have decorations for their trees in their own homes.

I made my mincemeat last week, and will make the pudding next weekend. I am an awfukl cook, but even I can manage this, so I do it every year. Going to do the sloe gin this week too. Hopefully that's another 'you can't go wrong' thing, but fingers crossed, because its the first time I will have done it.

Where do you get your fluffy and thick tinsel from, ladies? I would like some matt green (like forest green) to try and bulk up my pitiful garland for the mantlepiece.

WellTidy · 22/09/2014 09:28

Missus, I make my mincemeat with so much booze that there is no chance of it drying out! I also add the juice of an orange and orange marmalade. Its a friend's recipe, and its really lovely. Easy as anything. I will never buy mincemeat from a shop again.

WellTidy · 22/09/2014 09:29

TheOnly I bought one of those Christmas organisers by Cath Kidson in the sale after Christmas last year. I can't find it anywhere though! I'm clearly a long way from even approaching organised!