Poncetastic 2017

[Annwithnoe]

Since there doesn't seem to be a poncetastic thread, and to avoid confusion with thread titles, would I be out of order to start this one?

First order of business, a toast to our dearly missed Fellatio Nelson, wherever she may be and a quote from her original thread:

^
"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".

^

Love those dogs dolphin .

Ahhhhh I'm so excited for Christmas

Also made this dog stocking for my sister. I loved making it. Surely took too much time for a dog though!

I've been devouring this thread - I haven't quite achieved Poncestastic for my house yet, but my Christmas menu is definitely headed in that direction! Making pomegranate and rose petal prosecco cocktails, dark chocolate and smoked sea salt covered dates and plum and vanilla liquor truffles.

Stage one, washing jars and resting ingredients together. Will put the gas on under the pan when I'm next in the kitchen to make the children's tea.

I tested a cake today that I plan to make for a Christmas party we are having on the 23rd. It is this recipe but I made lots of changes to it. I had all the figs that had been soaking in alcohol for months for the fig liquor and I didn't want to waste them. So I pureed them for this cake. I wanted a grain free version so subbed almond flour for the wheat flour and I didn't use hazelnuts. I didn't add the brandy either as the fumes coming off the figs were sooooo strong I figured it didn't need extra alcohol Anyway, it is totally delicious (I made an extra one for sampling).

Evidence of Christmas poncery...

Loving the cake, Mama!

I've been meaning to sit down with this thread and a cup of tea for ages and only just managed it now. Wow you lot are seriously impressive.
I've fallen well short of poncing goals this year. We've only just finished redecorating the house (changing my mind twice about the paint in the bedroom didn't help) and I still have furniture and boxes of crap moved here, there and everywhere.
But the freezer is well stocked with lovely wintry food for impromptu meals. The cranberry sauce is mellowing in the cupboard alongside skittles vodka and m&m vodka. We made candy cane chocolate hearts today as a start for our sweetie hampers.

Ann that sounds impressive to me! We need to paint the playroom before the tree can go in and it's taken weeks to decide on the exact shade of off-white

Tree is up, have made some mince pies now enjoying strictly with some Christmas tea.

I stayed well away from the tree decorating as DD was in charge. It's, erm, colourful.

Here are my ceramic ornaments, made them last year, but poncetastic enough to get another twirl on the thread this year.

The photo isn't very clear, but that's the underside of DS's mid sleeper, we added a net light to it. Fun, it blimey, it took the best part of two hours to do, admittedly we didn't want any loose wires, but still!

Also, DS decided to decorate the legs with a bit of string from a popper, we promised him some proper tinsel .

You made that, LaChatte ?! Brilliant!

Love the smell of mince pies to get the season going.

but, not it.

Love the lights too! Our immediate decoration is slightly on hold but I'm pretending it's because it isn't Advent until tomorrow

Yes MrsH , I've been doing it for just over a year now and those were some of my first pieces that weren't disastrous , it's become a real passion!

We aren't decorating until Saint Nick's actually (6th), but we thought we'd do that.

Also made the PVC glue and cornflour decorations and I'll say is never again with a toddler. Also, found the ratio 2 to 1 rather off, more like 2 cornflour to 1.5 glue.

Sprinkle everything with cornflour if you want to use a rolling pin and add a little bit of pressure at a time as otherwise it does stick.

Otherwise it's nice and easy.

I've been finishing my cross stitch cards this afternoon. This is one of my favourites.

Dolphintrainer, those dog decorations and stocking are amazing, the detail in the dogs, wow you are very talented

Thanks for the PVA cornflour tips Cheshire - planning on trying those. Where they OK once you got going?!

I went to a national trust place today and their theme was 70's and 80's Christmas! It was so nostalgic- amazing how much hasn't changed really. Loads of board games that we still play today, Ds was fascinated by the transformers and the trolls toys (both having a revival!). But for me the really nostalgic thing was the Christmas cake, wrapped round in a paper shiny thing, with little plastic deer and Santa on the top. It was exactly like my grandmother used to have. I never knew she was so cutting edge back then in the 80's! I didn't take photos but I wish I had, just found these online. Also, anyone remember these little shiny baubles?

funnyfoursome it's actually not bad, but initially it was a crumbly mess, it needs to be worked rather than just mixed with a spoon for a couple of minutes. However it's quite forgiving afterwards, you can always add a bit more glue if it dries out, it reminded me of gingerbread dough rather than royal icing actually.

If it makes a difference, I had the school type PVA glue from Hobbycraft as opposed to their craft glue.

thenewaveragebear1983 Just had a closer look at your last photo- I'm not English, but we definitely had the baubles in your last photo. In fact, I'm fairly sure my mum still has some left.

My cook book has arrived!
I'll put some photo's up later!

Cheshire my gran had some, they were made of a sort of shiny foil, curled into circles?

The foil baubles were free with petrol in the 70s . I remember them well.