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Christmas

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

Countdown to Christmas part 2

999 replies

SideOrderofSprouts · 26/04/2017 20:27

Wow! Part two!!

8 months to go

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34
Wheelycote · 17/07/2017 07:40

I've worked this weekend which is just as well otherwise I might have put my new tree up to see what it looks like. I'm off tomorrow so may just open the box to peek inSmile

I'm going to buy the advent calendar toys from Hawkins bazaar. My two DS 's are 15 and 16 so planning on getting jokey cracker type toys....I did it last year and they seemed to like it. I've been Pinteresting to get ideas of a new advent calendar system (last years was not big enough) and thinking of doing something like these with hessian material and making them a bit more laddish lol

Countdown to Christmas part 2
Countdown to Christmas part 2
Countdown to Christmas part 2
Wheelycote · 17/07/2017 07:45

Woolly, Sprout and Tootsie I'm just catching up with the thread but at first glance it sounds you all are going for interviews...sorry if I've got that wrong) if you have..,.just wanted to wish you luck !! Smile I'm working today, will catch up properly this evening

VivaJen · 17/07/2017 08:28

Tootsie I love the BBC Good Food Simmer & Stir cake. Make it as early as you can and then feed it.

www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/1160/simmerandstir-christmas-cake

This weekend was my birthday and I got 2 Stunning Georg Jensen tree decorations- I can't wait to see them on my tree!!

I also placed an order for my turkey!

VivaJen · 17/07/2017 08:31

Also 160

tootsieglitterballs · 17/07/2017 08:52

Happy birthday @VivaJen ! Thank you for the recipe - shall give it a look!

Yes - it's lovely having a chef as a hubby, however it does have massive downsides! Especially the 5 nights a week at least I do the cooking as he's not here!

NoWordForFluffy · 17/07/2017 09:38

Happy birthday, VivaJen! 🎂

Wheely, if your tree is pre-lit you need to check that the lights work. So you'll have to put it up!

We had ours up again at the weekend to show the kids as they'd seen the box and wanted to know what it was! 🎄 It's now in the loft!

BiddyPop · 17/07/2017 10:52

Yes, and I've already placed the order so the box may even be at DMIL's when we visit this weekend! We're travelling light anyway as we have so much to bring down to her (she carboot's to raise money for the local hospital and cancer charities, and lots of DD's clothes get worn by DN's).

The spare room can be usable by visitors within about 15 minutes now - and less than 5 once the bags are gone. And DD is LOVING having all the space in her room again. We swopped her wardrobe with a freestanding one from the spare room and that can now go flat against the wall so it is a lot brighter up there (the old one stuck out into the middle of the room and did block it up quite a bit!). And she has a comfy corner to sit on her beanbag watching her ipad, and more space to play in again. We hardly saw her yesterday as we had cleared hers on Saturday.

Today, I have to get on with a few things at work, but also intend doing some clearing out of my desk and bookcase here, as they are in a cluttered mess as well.

I was good and got rid of a LOT of old magazines without even tearing anything out of them - but I couldn't get rid of most of my Christmas ones - I have loads, and will work on reducing them a lot over the next few weeks, but they are too precious to do that in the hurry of a big job. All the house ones are gone though, and most Prima/Good Housekeeping/Eve etc. And a lot of older knitting and sewing patterns that I am unlikely to use - I love to knit but I'm rubbish at being neat on small things so loads of patterns for toys, teddies, dolls and doll's clothes are pretty much unlikely to ever get used by me. So the recycling bin is VERY heavy this week!

SideOrderofSprouts · 17/07/2017 10:56

Happy birthday viva

wheelycote I got the job!

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SideOrderofSprouts · 17/07/2017 10:56

Gah
Posted too soon

Payday
Tomorrow so some more on my list to be bought!

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BiddyPop · 17/07/2017 11:55

I had spent a few minutes quietly browsing the House of Fraser clearance for work dresses on Saturday, but I popped into the Lego site for the first time in ages this morning, and managed to get a couple of Angry Birds items for DD, and a free piggybank as I added on a small set. I think I'll organize a large set as part of Santa's haul this year, to keep her busy for part of the day.

We are definitely staying at home this year, and having a quieter day than we usually do.

Although I seem to recall having muttered something about Christmas Day swims that DD hasn't forgotten, so I need to do some research! (DH will hold a flask of hot choc and a second with hot port on the shore!).

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 17/07/2017 18:56

Ooh been MIA a while, just catching up.
Good news about the job Sprout
And Biddy did you have an interview (or am I going bananas)

I had a quick look at the QVC TV Guide, looks like the TSV (Todays Special Value) is Festive Feast which would me Green Seasons meat or chocolates or cakes. (Usually order now and dispatch nearer the time)

I am definately suffering Tree Envy for Balsam Hill trees.

Anyone have a link for M&S food? There's usually something in the press about their Trade Shows where they showcase the new Christmas offerings.
IIRC last year was Proscecco crisps and Dark Chocolate Tortilla Chips amongst them Xmas Shock

NoWordForFluffy · 17/07/2017 20:17

70, bloody M&S have seriously disappointed me this year as there is no word as yet about this year's food and I've been Googling it at least twice a day for a week Surely it has to come soon, as I've seen other supermarkets' offerings. Sigh.

Prosecco crisps sound dire, it has to be said (I didn't try them)!

SideOrderofSprouts · 17/07/2017 21:08

They actually were rather noice

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NoWordForFluffy · 17/07/2017 21:14

I'll take your word for it!

OhOurBilly · 17/07/2017 22:07

Can I please join in a bit? I've been lurking for ages but I feel like I'm going to finally allow myself to get involved! I'm Billy, 31 with a 7 month old DS and I'm already so excited for Christmas with him this year.

I ordered his stocking and personalised present sack last Boxing day, have been collecting festive bibs and have finally just allowed myself to do some shopping for him from the ELC sale. His birthday is the end of November so I'm pretending I'm getting ahead for both.

Dh just doesn't get it! 🎅🎅🎅🎄🎄🎄🎁🎁🎁

NoWordForFluffy · 17/07/2017 22:51

I've just spent a lovely evening buying Scandi Christmas decorations for our new tree. Xmas Grin It's 2ft taller than last year's, so I need more coverage!

NoWordForFluffy · 18/07/2017 06:46

159

I'm on the train to Glasgow this morning. Looks like a glorious day ahead today. Shame to be in work really!

Hopefully today is the day that we finally see the M&S Christmas food offering. #impatient

Wheelycote · 18/07/2017 07:06

Morning Everyone

159 Smile

Side Congratulations!!!! when do you start?

Viva Happy Birthday, hope you had a lovely birthday weekend!

NoWord I like your thinking, I'll have to put the tre up to check the lights even through it has no prelit lights, but i better check anyway to be sure Besides if you put your tree up to check then I can tell my other half to be quiet because I know someone else who put it up to check Smile

Biddy envious of your christmas magazine collection!! It would literally be like christmas looking through them Smile

Billy Welcome!

Hessian sacking ordered to make the advent calender sacks. Im dithering over the toys to put inside given that my two are teens. Looking mainly at the classic toys that no big kid can resist I hope .

What meals have you planned or thinking about for
Christmas Eve
Boxing Day ??

tootsieglitterballs · 18/07/2017 07:25

Those prosecco crisps from m&s last year were weirdly nice....

@Wheelycote Christmas Eve we do cheese, pate, breads, meats, Christmas chutney etc. If hubby has the day / evening off, we do a ham as well.
Last year it was just me and DS as hubby was working, so we had more 'nibbly' bits like mini sausage rolls etc , but he still love the cheese and Pate too!

Boxing Day, I always have great plans to do something like a venison casserole or something, and it never materialises, we just end up having left overs, and then usually cheese again for dinner.

This year I AM going to buy some nice bits in from m&s / booths just for something a bit different, possibly for boxing day dinner / extras with Christmas Eve.

We do have traditions for breakfast though:
Christmas Eve: Christmas tree shaped crumpets / pancakes with DS
Christmas Day: smoked salmon & scrambled eggs
Boxing Day: bacon butties

Can't blooming wait!

FireflyGirl · 18/07/2017 10:11

Last year, we had fish and chips for lunch at the seaside on Christmas Eve, and I think I want to try and make that something we do every year when we can, as it meant DS could burn off some energy and he loves the beach.

Christmas Eve we usually have takeaway curry for tea with my parents, DSis and DBIL. Although we didn't manage it last year as we started with the norovirus after getting back from the seaside.

Boxing Day used to mean leftover turkey and proper chips made in the chip pan (it only comes out Boxing Day and Good Friday). Then off to the pub.

Now DS is a bit older, we spend Boxing Day at home playing with his presents, and so I bought a ham and cooked it in the slow cooker for lunch, and we had leftover turkey, ham, cheese and pickle sandwiches on naice bread, and then for tea I bought buffet nibbles. Think I'll do this again for me, DH and DMIL, but DS didn't really bother with the buffet food so he'll probably get a proper meal.

Our nearest Booths is 1.5 hours away, so we won't be getting anything from there. Looking at the reviews on christmasuk.org, the Aldi and Iceland stuff was really well received. I usually get all the catalogues, work out what looks good and then make a list of X and Y from Iceland, Z from Aldi etc

It's one of my favourite lists. Then I list what I've got, what temperature it cooks at, and how long it takes, so I can coordinate it all going into the oven. I do it in my bullet journal, and then decorate it Blush but it makes me happy, so, meh.

HairsprayBabe · 18/07/2017 10:12

Aldi did really nice G&T crisps last year, I hope they have them again!

I started my hampering yesterday, several jars of pickles are now stowed away and maturing nicely.

Shame my house honks of vinegar now though!

FireflyGirl · 18/07/2017 10:47

Speaking of making gifts in advance, has anyone ever done bath bombs? Is there a reason I couldn't make a start on them now? Do they not 'fizz' if you make them too far in advance?

DS has started nursery this year, and I'm not sure of the etiquette of Christmas presents for nursery staff, so I was going to do a number of little packs of homemade stuff that gets used up. Although, I might do a personalised mug as well - maybe fill that with the packs.

HairsprayBabe · 18/07/2017 10:54

That sounds lovely FireFly
I can't see why they wouldn't work in a few months down the line, as long as you keep them dry.

Wheelycote · 18/07/2017 20:24

Firefly that sounds great! how on earth are bath bombs made?

SideOrderofSprouts · 18/07/2017 20:36

I start in September! Can't wait!!!

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