Poncetastic 2016

[WaitingForEgg]

Ok this thread may commence from midnight in honour of Fellatio. I sadly abandoned last years mid run due to pre-eclampsia and early birth of my December baby and therefore fully intend to throw myself fully into this years festivities:

"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".

Let's surpass all poncestastic pasts please

I'm pleased the cheeseboard was popular.

I went into town today to start some Christmas shopping and bought myself some £100 boots.

Back to looking for amazing cheeseboards, ignoring the fact the present shopping isn't going well...!

My December is looking very poncey, lantern parade, dickens of a Christmas, shopping in the Cotswolds, pants, trip to a grotto, family kids party, friends up for a weekend, trip to Kew for the lights, trip to Santa, two local national trust places, three family days and a preschool performance. I need to find some carols to go to.

I've told people today we are having a homemade Christmas and it went down ok.

Hi all, I am on holiday so not actively poncing at the moment. Due to abundance of other luggage and flying I had to bring just a small crochet project (one colour - a scarf. For myself not a gift so maybe doesn't count for here?) and leave most of my stuff at home. I snuck in a few offcuts of yarn for more festive jumpers but haven't indulged yet. Great to see you are cracking on with them, LadyC ! They look great.

I am definitely going to make the fancy peppermint bark. I have never made the simple stuff because I wasn't sure I would like it but that sounds yummy.

And HairsprayBabe, I can't believe your hamper list. That is amazing. I have never been a big chutney eater but my interest was piqued the summer by a stunning ploughmans with chutney in a posh pub. Now I want to recreate that tomato and onion chutney at least.

We usually just have Christmas at home, but my dad is keen on having a family Christmas, so I might have to give up my plans for a lovely peaceful relaxed and poncy day in favour of something with a lot more quarrelling.

This my first bit of poncing this year (sorry the image seems to have turned when I loaded it up?!). It's a wooden advent calendar that I got off amazon, bit of gold and white paint, glittery numbers and xmas decoupage (Xmas oragami paper). This is for mini gillyweed number 2, number 1 has got one already that I might ponce up with some of the paper, and number 3 will get one when she's old enough!

I've made rhubarb gin, but most of it has been drunk already...

The Christmas cake was made yesterday and this year I'm going to feed it with rum; a family member owns a caribe an restaurant so he can choose and provide that!

Next on my list is my paper wreath; I'm going to use my old wedding bouquet that I made out of oragami flowers from a book of my grans. I'll take the bouquet apart, make some more and attach some how, perhaps to a pool noodle tied into a ring.

I've just totally outed myself to anyone who knows me!

gillyweed that looks lovely. We use a Disney box one that we've used for the past five years, and the dcs share whatever is in the daily box (so obviously I make sure there are 2 of whatever is in there!). We stick with that because it's smaller, so takes up less room. We moved, compromising on size of house to get in a nicer area, so all poncing will be to be on a smaller scale now.

have to be on a smaller scale. Argh.

Love the advent calendar. People often comment how nice ours are and ask how I made them, but I bought them from lidl perhaps next year I will make one- DC are really to young to notice (and give me time to make the thing!)

I followed the bramble and Apple gin recipe above. As I stuffed Apple chunks through the narrow neck of my Kilner bottle DH said- you'lol never get those. Chunks out of there. Dammit- I hate it when he is right. I'll need to use jars next year.

They might come out if they've softened a bit. Do they soften somewhat after soaking for so long?

They'll be fine. In three months they'll have broken down a bit.

Ive made a start on garlands and wreaths by making a dozen or so fabric roses. We're on our last jar of last year's chutney (must make more) and I've not even checked out the bramble foraging options yet.

Home made roses? >Impressed-icon

Really easy. Pinterest has tonnes of tutorials - all you need is a glue gun and ribbon or strips of fabric

Pinterest is a black hole of time. I wander in, and come out months later.

Thanks seacow I should dial it abck but i always end up doing more! I am on the hunt for baskets ATM I ask for them back off my parents and inlaws but I let everyone else keep them unless they offer!

Booked my first poncey December thing off to see the Nutcracker Ballet on the 3rd with my mum, never been before so v.v. excited!! [Fgrin]

Oh! I forgot, did a bit of extra poncing today, made this necklace with wire ribbon and beachcombed sea glass that I collected on my holiday this year

I bought 40 activity books recently in packs
Of 10, and each pack came in a clear plastic folder that I really like.

I was thinking of making hamper presents anyway, but these folders would fill up nicely with treats and could be really prettily done up. I've got no time for much crafting, but I can definitely shop online and make a batch or two of something easy in the kitchen (preferably alcoholic!)

Any advice poncers? What would you put in a plastic hamper wallet that's A4 size, and quite deep?

What kind of baskets, Hairspray?

Any that will function well as a hamper, bought a load last year at wilko but they looked because they were cheap, so I am trying to get a more eclectic, vintage, expensive look this year, but the wilko ones were only £2.50 so I think I might struggle a dot!

Hairspray if you're anywhere near a country baskets it's worth a look, some of the Christmas ones are fab. It can be very hit and miss though for being cheap.

www.countrybaskets.co.uk/christmas/christmas-christmas-accessories?p=2

Turnips They look good, I do a mix of sizes of the hampers, family, couples and individuals so could find something for everyone there!

I'm waiting for the pound shop to get the beer crates back in.

Moopoint can you post a picture? I can't quite figure.them out from your description?

Mummyshortlegz what are you planning with the pound shop crates. I got one intending to fill with different ciders but of course the bottles are too big to fit.