this tip deserves the tip...

[suzycreamcheese]

was shocked to see mn tip recommending 98p foil trays to save on washing up at christmas; they dont rot these things infact they'll be around for your grandchildrens' grandchildren to enjoy ....

easy way to clean baking / roasting tins is clear out fatty grease gunk into old tin can - not down sink (stops needing plumber in few months) 1/2 fill w/ water and bit of washing up liquid and heat gently on stove til dishes are washed. its really easy to clean then, have big glass of wine ready for washer upper and pop chocolates in their mouth whilst doing dishes!
ray mears will be proud of me!

"I don't do it on a regular basis, only when cooking for 14 when I get lumbered with most of the washing up too."

That's a rubbish excuse, stop being such a martyr. I doubt very much your guests (and partner?) would refuse if prompted politely - in fact if they're rude enough not to offer to wash up, you are quite justified in asking. If you lie on the floor you'll get walked on.

talking of disposable nappies.........

when ds1 was newborn (9yrs ago) i was getting my hair done and had to have him with me. Stuck to me permanently like you do with first Well, he was bf-ing and the lady doing my hair said, oh I didn't want to bf but I did use cloth nappies. WTF??? Certainly gave me a chuckle when I left

Yule - is it you I owe the champagne to?

Agree you're a martyr swedishmum but maybe you like it that way? My SIl does, gives her something to moan about and that makes her ....ermm...happy She'll do EVERYTHING Christmas day. I don't like anyone doing the cooking but they can lay table and tidy.

Stockingsofdinosaurs - give her a break. She explained the circs, thats all. Do none of us every throw ANYTHING away?

no there's another imposter who's pinched yule is it Yulelog? I was Yule just after Halloween don't ya know?

hey, I'll drink it though!

Hey Marsy would've taken the bubbly beety

Oh I'm not bothered about occasionally using disposable stuff (I use disp nappies when out and about because I'll admit I'm lazy) - it's just the blaming it on other people that got me! Either you're a doormat, a control freak or you can't be arsed - nobody else's fault.

Sorry, I meant to say it's fine to be any one of those, as long as you take responsibility for it .

stockingsfullofdinosaurs you sound like me. I'm all for personable responsibility, part of my religion.

Eeee who'd have thought a tin tray could cause such interest

sorry, added a full there for some reason?

blimey meant personal responsiblity.......I'll get me coat

at being able to recycle clean foil dishes. What the f*ck would be the point of that??!! You might as well wash up the baking trays!

Who wants foil dishes on the table anyway? Plebs!

svenskimum.. maybe she meant that turkey for 14 would be sure to snap your wrists putting into oven, it would mine..i'd jump in their and say well, you could do the washing up ma!
and do make sure you get a bit of help this year it really IS against the law to cook and wash up..

They foil things must be pretty tough then to hold a big bird?

Lakeland - they're very strong. Having organic pork from across the field too so not a monster turkey. I probably do have a bit of a martyr tendency. Dh will do rest of washing up (dishwasher loading) but I know from bitter experience I will find messy dishes lurking in the oven or utility room sink unless I take charge. Mil would gladly wash up but as she always does it I feel she deserves a day off too.

Good old Lakeland Did you all get your ecard from them?
I get where you're coming from now SM. And it's not as bad as it seems if dh is helping. Last year tbh I did the lot and I was ill. only for 6 of us though. Won't be like that this year, think the bug made me weak in more ways than one?

sm - what about the kids, too young? or the men? tell them its sign of appreciation like burping in middle east..