Poncetastic Christmas 2014

[HopeAndStories]

(Posting FellatioNelson's OP from previous years )
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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.

Not sure why they're posting wonky...!

Feliz, noel and yule to hang off wine kutchen cupboard door knobs.

And felt mistletoe from a couple of years ago, hanging off the kitchen doorway, proved very popular

I made these yesterday. I figured I have to start somewhere!

Felt mistletoe is on my to do list, just waiting on the green felt arriving.

at elves' gentlrmans hardware!!

Where does everyone get their felt from. I need some for the stockings I'm making but don't want to buy off a roll.

ElQuinto I love all your little bits, especially the mistletoe!

Also in fits of giggles over the bells and candy cane mishap!! Maybe just the one bell..... ?!

trixy I get all my felt from China. It is shite quality. It doesn't matter with little decorations.

Today is mince pie day!! I'm making Paul Hollywood's pastry, following Jamie Oliver's instructions and using my premade Delia Smith mincemeat. We're going to a friend's annual mulled cider party tonight so I'm going to delight them with the joys of mince pies (they're forrin and have never had them!)

Also got some dishwasher caramel vodka in the dishwasher... not sure how that will turn out!!

Yesterday the poncing began.

I use a company called blooming felt Trixy.

Christmas cushions . Poncetastic enough ? Lovely fabric from my favourite shop and spotty bias for the piping.

some jingle bell bunting to go on my mantelpiece (excuse my grotty carpet!)

Calling trumpton .... help! One of my narcissi is very very tall already and another is only a couple of inches (no flowers yet) when do I add the gin!?!

My poncing has been severely stumped by a tricky time at work/resignation. I feel sad without it in my life. I want to put the Christmas lights up to cheer me up, but that is strictly forbidden in November. Sigh... just two more weekends... :-(

The odd Christmas song might help umlauf ?!
I did all the cutting for my rope ladder trees yesterday and (very quietly) listened to The Fairytale of New York. It's like my dirty little secret

Now I guess . But I really don't know. I added my gin today much to DS disgust " Waste of gin ,Mother "

Haha trumpton I read your message on my phone so didn't get the picture until just now on the PC! It has made me giggle. I've fed the Narcissus some gin... just sloshed a bit in really. The last of my gin so it had better work! I'm getting all giddy seeing the little bumpy bits under the green, like when I was watching DS as a bump!

I've had a miserable week, I handed in my notice yesterday to a horrid reaction and tonight is the staff meal. I still have to go, to show how grown up and mature we all are.... I just want to sit and crochet pretty garlands!

Our playmobil nativity 123 set has arrived though and I couldn't resist having a little play with it. DS keeps trying to eat the baby Jesus though..

Awww Umlauf, gin could be the answer tonight too!

I began the great pre Christmas clear out on Sunday and when DH took the DC's to the charity shop I listened to Michael Buble's Christmas album .

Umlauf handing my notice in at a job that was making me miserable and ill was the best thing I ever did. Here's hoping for the same outcome for you - mulled of course.

Poncing on hold currently although I have checked all the decorations and bought some new lights. I may make some cookie dough for the freezer this morning.

My tree skirt is about 60% finished. I'll post a picture when it is finished.

I will be thinking of you tonight Umlauf . Onwards and upwards !

It must have been a day for prepping TheWooly, I went through the decorations this morning when I was putting away the new Christmas lights I got using my nectar points (love a bargain!) and I have just popped a bath of gingerbread dough in the freeze ready for the DC's to make cookies at some point in December.

Cookie dough made and stashed away. One batch of chocolate chip and one batch of cranberry and orange. It is taking all my will power to leave them in the freezer. I LOVE cranberry and orange

Ooooo I do too. Especially cranberry and orange muffins!

binglet I do like that stocking, is it knitted?

The work dinner was actually quite nice - the resignation wasn't mentioned and didn't even feel like an elephant in the room and so I'm feeling much happier about the next month at work and my Christmas mojo is back with a vengeance today!

I am back to crocheting and making this today but just in a grass green colour to use up my scraps. I have three pairs of gloves to whip up over the weekend for various gifts as well.

I am thinking about making this instead of a wreath for my front door, I live in an apartment block so only my three neighbours will see it, and my block is very modern so a traditional wreath might look odd.. plus I never see anyone else with one (the scrooges, ) What do you think?

Little tiny narcissus buds breaking through today trumpton on giant narcissus!

My DD's would love Rudolph Umlauf, go for it.

Glad the meal went well and your Christmas mojo is pack... one needs one's mojo to ponce .

I buy flowers every week and somehow came home with cream roses and twigs with red berries yesterday. DH said I am flouncing the no decorations to the Sunday nearest December 1st rule. Scrooge!

Just picked up 10m of cellophane in Lidl for 99p. I'm using it to make my large honeycomb paper balls look like giant sweets for my nutcracker themed dining room. I'm also making the kids pool noodles into giant lollipops.

Ooh that Rudolph 'not a wreath' looks gorgeous! Think I may need to hang that on the inside of our front door, hoping for a big traditional wreath on the front! Tips on hanging on a PVC door? I've googled and must be typing in the wrong thing because I am getting nothing!
Also planning a little rosemary wreath for the kitchen.
Making puddings this weekend love stir up Sunday! Also all the baskets, cellophane bags and cellophane wrap has arrived for this years christmas hampers! Just need some ribbon now.
I really need to get a shift on! Done a lot of Pinterest research and not a lot of doing! Only 33 days to go

Hello! Can I join too? I have just started making this wreath. Beginning to cover it now in holly leaves and mistletoe but not sure if its too much? Can I have opinions please? I'm sooo excited to get decorating, I have a beautiful new fireplace that needs poncing so any ideas welcome.

Thanks

All welcome here! I think the wreath looks fab so far.