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Christmas

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

We're rocking around the Christmas tree, waiting for Santa to come to town. It's countdown to Christmas thread 4!!

983 replies

SideOrderofSprouts · 15/09/2017 21:50

99 days to go Xmas Grin

disclaimer. This thread is up early because I am old and tired and need to go to bed. It's actually 99 from midnight

OP posts:
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FireflyGirl · 29/09/2017 07:51

Ooh! Primark's Christmas jumper range looks good. Quite a few nice, non-tacky ones in there. Might have to wander over that way next time I'm in town.

How is tomorrow the last day of September! Shock

NoWordForFluffy · 29/09/2017 07:51

Ooh. Might pop there at lunch!

CbeebiesAddict · 29/09/2017 08:15

Ooh they look good FireFly!

tootsieglitterballs · 29/09/2017 08:46

Me and hubby may have cracked open the third chocolate organ last night... whoops

HairsprayBabe · 29/09/2017 09:39

I got my xmas jumper from Peacocks last year and was super happy with it! Hope they have nice ones this year too Xmas Smile

BiddyPop · 29/09/2017 09:48

200g caster sugar
150g butter
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
200g plain flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
zest of 1 lemon and 1 orange

Allow butter to soften for an hour. Mix together the butter and sugar until combined (doesn't need to be as creamed as for a Victoria sponge, just well combined).
Mix the egg and vanilla together and add those to butter/sugar and mix thoroughly.

Sift together the flour and baking powder. Add those to the mix and stir well.

Add the zest and mix thoroughly.

Turn the dough onto a piece of greaseproof paper, shape into a log and put into the fridge for an hour to harden up a little. (Can be frozen at this stage too).

Slice the dough into rounds, put onto baking tray and bake for 7 minutes (it usually really takes them about 12 I find) at 180 degrees C.

Alternatives to the orange and lemon are to replace about 25g or so of the flour with cocoa powder and add some chocolate chips to the batter instead of the zest; or to use some dessicated coconut; or just have them plain. (I think there was another option in the book but I didn't have time to type it up last night when I made a batch, but it jogged my memory for the quantities and I had promised ages ago!).

The dough lasts very well for at least 8 months in the freezer according to my slatternly ways (book says 1 month) and at least a week in the fridge (book says a week - I've tended to freeze if it would be longer than that).

BiddyPop · 29/09/2017 09:56

Sorry, I think it was Fluffy I promised the recipe for.....um, more than a few days ago....Xmas Blush

NoWordForFluffy · 29/09/2017 10:54

Thank you! 😁

BiddyPop · 29/09/2017 11:58

sorry it took so long

Minster2012 · 29/09/2017 13:08

Awesome thanks biddy Cake

TheWoollybacksWife · 29/09/2017 15:55

Do you think they'd work with orange zest and chopped dried cranberries (maybe soaked overnight in orange juice)?

weeblueberry · 29/09/2017 16:06

Me and hubby may have cracked open the third chocolate organ last night... whoops

Grin Grin Grin

tootsieglitterballs · 29/09/2017 16:10

@weeblueberry I think we have a problem! Best not buy any toblerones ....

NoWordForFluffy · 29/09/2017 16:10

No problem, Biddy. I'm not making them for a while anyway!

Woolly, I love that idea!

weeblueberry · 29/09/2017 16:13

@tootsieglitterballs it was the chocolate organ that made me giggle. Grin

BiddyPop · 29/09/2017 16:21

Wooly that sounds like it's worth an experimental batch to test it! I think I put raisins in once before so I don't see why not🍪

FireflyGirl · 29/09/2017 17:50

Mmm... And then dip half of them in chocolate! Think I've sorted DS's nursery workers out! Grin

HolyShmoly · 29/09/2017 21:56

I spent a lovely time in John Lewis today, having a lovely goo at all the Christmas goodies.
When will M&S be joining in the festivities?
White Company reckon they won't be getting the decorations in until LATE OCTOBER/EARLY NOVEMBER!!

So rude.

NoWordForFluffy · 29/09/2017 22:30

In the next week or so I think, Holy, for M&S. I hope!

White Company is seriously missing a trick!

HolyShmoly · 29/09/2017 22:50

They have their smellies in but not their garlands. Which I wanted to see with my hands as I intend to buy one.
John Lewis' garlands weren't great.
I only have two months and 9 days to buy them!

QuimJongUn · 30/09/2017 01:29

86

Boots Christmas catalogue came out yesterday! I was first in line rocked up casually mid afternoon to get mine Xmas Smile

NoWordForFluffy · 30/09/2017 07:00

Anything of interest in there, Quim?

FridgeCut · 30/09/2017 09:15

Ooh time for a trip into town to pick up all the brochures!

Fluffycloudland77 · 30/09/2017 09:21

The shopmium app have Taylor's single origin coffee half price, I'm thinking for hampers?.

I've applied for a free o2sim to see if I can get any free cards/wrapping paper off the priority app without topping up.

NoWordForFluffy · 30/09/2017 11:53

Ooh. I'm off to Next this afternoon. It's next to Boots. I may have to pop in! 😁