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Christmas

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

Don't be an April fool, get your Easter eggs in a row and countdown to Christmas Thread 3

977 replies

NoWordForFluffy · 01/04/2019 07:39

268

New month coincides with the need for a new thread!

The last one kept us going for over 2 months, so let's see how we do this time!

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barberstreisand · 01/05/2019 11:45

I’m not so sure if this is the best place for me to post but I’ve been very frantically searching the Christmas board as my family have elected me to host Christmas dinner this year I’ll be cooking for 9 and will have a 3 month old as well-I guessed here would be a good place to get some tips and be able to take my mind of the stress and enjoy Christmas. (If this is the complete wrong place then feel free to boot me up the bum and ship me off to the right place) (before you ask I can’t get out of it, I already agreed. It’s tradition in our family that if you’ve moved into a new house then you host Christmas the following year as some sort of christening ritual). (Please helpSad)

NoWordForFluffy · 01/05/2019 12:00

Hi Barbara! I'd be telling your family that they can swerve the tradition this year, quite frankly, as it's not on to expect a new mum to be hosting dinner! But that's just me.

Otherwise, if you can't say no, just buy in from M&S, Booths, Sainsbury's etc as they all do pre-prepared stuff which just needs the oven. That'll save you loads of time.

Also there's bits you can do in advance to freeze, like the Jamie get ahead gravy, if you want to do some homemade stuff before baby comes! @BiddyPop can help more!

238 by the way!

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barberstreisand · 01/05/2019 12:14

NoWordForFluffy You’ve practically said the exact same thing my husband did. I wish I had a bit more of a backbone but oh well, I’ve agreed to it now. Thank you for the tips, they’re great and it’ll save me cooking on the day as I don’t want to be doing that because it’ll stop me from spending time with my son on Christmas.

You don’t kind of I stick around on this thread to enjoy the countdown do you? I’d quite like to get excited about Christmas rather than dread it, and I think this thread might just do the trick

TheWoollybacksWife · 01/05/2019 12:16

238

Barbera don't panic! It's a big roast dinner. You are brave doing it with a three month old. Enlist all the help you can get.

First will you have a big enough table and enough chairs for everyone to sit down at the same time? Enough plates and glasses? Plates and glasses can be bought from places like Ikea, Matalan or a charity shop without breaking the bank.

What do you plan to cook? Will you be serving a starter? Choice of puddings? Do you guests expect everything to be home made?

Work backwards from the time you want to eat and write a list of timings. Your meat will take the longest time but from memory my crown last year took about 3 hours so I didn't need to get up before dawn to put it in the oven Grin

I cook for 6 people usually. I buy a large turkey crown and a large gammon and this gives enough for Boxing Day dinner too plus a couple of days of sandwiches and bits for soup. I do 3-4 goose fat roasties per person and usually do a bowl of mash too. Leftovers go in the fridge and are used the next day. I make my own sausage meat stuffing and cook it in a loaf tin to save oven space. I often make it ahead of time and freeze it.

Lots of things can be made in advance and frozen. Jamie's Get Ahead gravy is very popular - I tried it once and didn't like it but I have heard making it without the star anise is better so I might try it again. Roasties can be frozen part cooked and finished on the day. The same with sprouts. I blanch, shred and freeze them and then stir fry them with butter and pancetta on the day. Work out what sides/veg dishes you want and see if you can freeze them. 'Ding' bags of veg like broccoli are good as you can just microwave them and not take any hob space up.

Buy non perishable food bit by bit in the weeks and months in the run up to December. Cranberry sauce, nuts, crisps, wine, soft drinks and napkins and Christmas crackers if you use them will all have a long shelf life. The same goes for Christmas pudding. Don't forget extra tea bags, coffee, bin bags, tin foil and washing up stuff.

I like to spread the cost of Christmas food shopping by buying savers stamps each month. I then pick up the supermarket food to order magazine and order my food as soon as possible.

I like cooking and particularly enjoy cooking Christmas dinner as I shut myself in the kitchen with a glass of wine and Christmas music and crack on leaving the rest of the family to try and get DS off his console!

BiddyPop · 01/05/2019 13:14

Barbara I echo the don't panic messages.

Woolly gave loads of useful stuff already.

If you are new in your house, do you have enough things like chairs and a big enough table? Is there space for such furniture?

Perhaps, especially if the summer is coming, it might be useful to think in terms of multi-use furniture. Like wooden folding chairs that can go in the garden when you have visitors, but also work well indoors for expanding dining capacity. And being folding, they can go out of the way when you don't need them.

And for a table, can you get one that either extends for larger groups, or a second table that can fold away when not in use (Ikea do some on trestle legs etc, or you can get catering type tables that fold down to almost nothing) - again, having for garden as well as indoor use could be useful to make them multifunctional.

And then, while it is quiet and calm, do a lot of thinking.
What do you like to cook? Everything from scratch or everything pre-prepared, or something in between? Are you used to cooking for 2, or a crowd? And do you make a traditional roast on occasion?

What is "expected" for Christmas dinner in your family? Are there specific dishes that are really vital, does everyone want turkey, or is it more that once everyone is together that a good meal (regardless of what it is) is the only important element?

Are there any family specialities that you can persuade others to bring? Aunt Eileen's sherry trifle, your Mum's Christmas cake, brother Jimmy's "ultimate" gravy.....or whatever.

And then start to figure out what you would like to serve for the day.
Work backwards - decide a time to sit down, and then figure out what needs to get done by when to make that happen.

Write that plan down on paper. It helps you to refer to, and also to suggest any willing helpers can look at it to see what they can usefully do.

Do a couple of roast dinners for just you and DH over the next few months, to learn how to do things like roast potatoes and to juggle things happening together.

Keep it simple. Don't go for 21 sides and 17 types of dessert, have some kind of potatoes, some veggies (maybe 2/3 types if you ARE confident) and gravy.

Once you have decided what you want to serve, think about what (other than the family specialities) you can ask the others coming to bring. So maybe someone else should bring the cheese course entirely (cheese and crackers), or the wine, or a dessert that only needs to be served (or MINIMAL prepping in your house - like putting it into the oven or just adding some cream), or a starter (again MINIMAL prep in your house, even more for starter and no oven available).

What size is your cooker? Do you have a second oven or not?
Because you will need to think in your timings about what needs oven space, at what time and at what temperature.

A turkey can come out at least an hour and up to 2 hours before serving (put a double layer of foil over the top and cover with a folded towel, to keep the heat in and let it "rest") - so that gives time to cook roast potatoes and possibly roast vegetables as well if you want.

Lots can be cooked on the stove top or microwave, or even just using boiling water.

Frozen petits pois, left in a pyrex bowl to defrost, and then pour boiling water into the bowl for 10 minutes before serving, cooks them perfectly without using the cooker.
Baby spinach leaves in a colander just need a full kettle of boiling water poured through it to wilt them perfectly.

Gravy can be a huge hassle - or very simple.

You can do the various "make ahead" gravies and freeze, to just reheat on the day.
You can use bisto (other brands are available) powder and make up regular gravy but just add a splosh (highly technical quantity! About 2-3 tablespoons or so) of red or white wine for depth and any juices that come off the turkey. I sometimes use the water from cooking carrots as the water for making the gravy for extra flavor without a lot of extra work.
Or you can buy readymade gravy, lots of them are very good nowadays.

If you have to get crockery etc for the new house, try to get enough for having visitors, even if it sits in a cupboard a lot of the time (and that cupboard could be a spare wardrobe, or under the stairs - just somewhere that it will be safe from damage and that you can get it out when you need it). Plain white dishes can be dressed up with coloured napkins/tablecloth, candles, flowers etc to suit lots of different occasions. And the same with glasses - plain but sufficient wine and water glasses is a useful thing to have. And cutlery. None of these need to be terribly expensive - but if you can have them matching that really does make it look nice - or alternating if you get 2 sets of 6 but in different patterns say.

And a few serving dishes - which can be large bowls or plates just as much as "serving dishes!". Jugs for milk (and can be used for gravy, being washed before tea/coffee course - if you have willing helpers).

Plates can be heated by sitting in the basin in hot water, if your oven is fully occupied - and just get someone to dry them off with a clean teatowel to serve onto.

I always prep my veggies and potatoes the day before - they can even be done on 23rd if you have time then and just keep in cold water, change the water on 24th. (Onions and parsnips don't like water so keep those in airtight containers instead).

And in your thinking, think about who would be useful to ask to help in various ways (DM to help in the kitchen, or DDad to "entertain" great aunt Dotty in the sitting room, or younger DB to do the washing up afterward etc). Or not.
Do you prefer to work alone, would others try to take over/interfere, or can they actually be helpful. If the former, declare the kitchen off-limits until the meal. You should not be doing any clearing up after serving.

And would your kitchen/dining work better to serve each plate in the kitchen, make it a buffet for people to work along and then sit down, or put everything in the middle of the table for people to serve themselves already sitting. Or something in between those.

Night before - empty all bins ready for the following day.
Morning - run the dishwasher after breakfast (if you have one) whether it's full or not - you will need it empty later.

While cooking, have a basin of hot sudsy water and wash pots etc (or have a willing helper) as you go to prevent things building up.

And make sure you have time in your timetable to stop for a few minutes here and there, to just enjoy the day and your DBaby's first Christmas, and your first Christmas in your new house.

And if things run late, that's fine, better to be a little late and throw an extra packet of crisps or something on the table for the guests with a drink beforehand than be totally stressed out and on time.

Sorry for the brain-dump, I hope it makes some sense!

BiddyPop · 01/05/2019 13:24

And Hi! everyone else.

Life has been slightly more chaotic than usual - but I've now done my exam (I still keep steering the theoretical boat onto the rocks, but I may have done enough to pass). Work is bananas as my boss is retiring at short notice and there's no word on a replacement for him - but I am managing to get what it necessary done in the meantime. And DD is physically growing so fast, and dealing with puberty, so all sorts of issues there quite apart from first set of proper "end of year" exams (her feet have grown size 4 to 6.5 since September - and need lots of different types of new shoes, and her body is also growing (not quite as fast) but her muscles are struggling to keep up so lots of growing pains).

MrsMad I hope all is going ok with you and that your DM is doing ok too.

Fluffy enjoy the relocation, and the space!

Is it you or Woolly who is doing great things on the allotment despite the shoulder? Well done, I saw the picture !!

Sorry I am not keeping up properly. Life is just hectic at the mo, lots of various organizing for the summer, and also for Christmas. Holidays have been booked, last part booked over the weekend, DD summer camps booked, I need to arrange 1 more thing and send off a form and cheque for another (but it is booked) and then we are organized I think for summer. And we're booking Christmas flights over the weekend, and need to follow that with some accommodation bookings - but it's been agreed!! We will see snow, and lots of it!! (Although DH has yet to tell DMIL - I think he's afraid of her likely reaction!).

Lovely sunny day here, and I am slightly mitching off work for lunchbreak today!

TheWoollybacksWife · 01/05/2019 13:42

It's Fluffy on the allotment Biddy - I've not got a single green digit on either hand 😂

NoWordForFluffy · 01/05/2019 16:36

Ooh, where are you off to at Christmas, Biddy?! You're so busy, as ever.

Will you go for your boss' job?

And yes, me on the allotment. I'm back on Friday, though still ache from Sunday. Arrrgh! Our new washing line pole was put up by DH today, where the shed was! It's all coming together.

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BiddyPop · 01/05/2019 17:51

Christmas involves transatlantic flights to a sibling. Just slightly afraid to say where before physically booking, in case another sibling gets a bright idea and scuppers it (no DCs but has a habit of interfering - and often seems to know things without me saying them)!

I can’t go for the job, it’s being done through a different mechanism (civil service has its own ways of working!) so hopefully it will be someone good!

NoWordForFluffy · 01/05/2019 17:57

That's exciting, Biddy!

And bugger re the job (assuming you'd have been tempted!).

I've just had physio and have more exercises to do. Then I'm back in 4 weeks to start on weights.

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barberstreisand · 01/05/2019 21:41

Hi, just reading through your advice now. Gosh there’s a lot to think about!. I have everything covered regarding plates and tables (will bring in 4 seater table from outside and then put DS on his stool, and baby can be put in their Moses basket while we eat) etc, nobody expects anything completely homemade and even if they did I’d lie. I’m thinking of doing two meats, a nut roast for DH and then 2 types of potatoes and a few veg. Our ovens quite small, but I’ll be able to time everything right. I think I will make it a buffet sort of thing, and will ask family to bring drinks and snacks, and then we can eat them beforehand just in case everything goes completely wrong!. I’ll write a time plan tomorrow and then actually start planning everything, thank you for all the help. I’m definitely going to stick around on this thread, because your Christmas ideas are great.

barberstreisand · 02/05/2019 16:38

I’ve wrote a plan out now and told my family that if there’s anything specific they want then to bring it themselves. I’m not as stressed anymore, touch wood it stays like this. We found out we’re having another boy todayGrin

NoWordForFluffy · 02/05/2019 16:39

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How exciting, Barber! Have you any names planned yet?

I'm glad you told your family that; manages expectations from the get go!

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barberstreisand · 02/05/2019 16:43

NoWordForFluffy We’ve decided on Noah our DS1 is called Leo and I think they go really nicely with each other.

They weren’t very happy about it but at the end of the day if they expect a new mum to host Christmas dinner in her tiny house then they should expect that they may have to chip in a bit.

DeadDoorpost · 02/05/2019 16:57

Hi! Im Also going to have a 3 month old at Christmas this year. Not sure where we'll be for Christmas though but most likely at my parents which means no cooking this year! (Maybe help with the Apple crumble though as that's my specialty).

I've started putting £7 a week aside ready for Christmas just as a bit of help (DH just lost his job) which will give us a decent amount. DS will be 2 so doesn't need much but got to decided what to do for parents on both sides. Any ideas of budget presents that aren't photos etc? In case DH doesn't get another one before hand.

NoWordForFluffy · 02/05/2019 17:51

I know it's still photos, but our parents love the calendars we get them of the kids each year. They don't have to be expensive (keep an eye on Groupon etc).

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barberstreisand · 02/05/2019 17:53

We usually do hampers from Aldi, just some snacks and nibbles and drinks. It doesn’t cost us much but they’re really nice

NoWordForFluffy · 02/05/2019 18:10

I'm doing a cross stitch for my mum this year.

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lauryloo · 02/05/2019 21:31

My in laws always request a photo calendar for Christmas. We live next door and they see our children daily but still want pictures. It's lovely.

CishAndFips · 02/05/2019 22:18

Congratulations barber thats a lovely name. Sorry to hear about your husbands job deaddoor your £7 a week plan is a great idea and will add up quickly.

barberstreisand · 02/05/2019 22:21

Thank you Cish 😊

NerosFiddle · 03/05/2019 08:28

*236
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Happy Friday all!

BiddyPop · 03/05/2019 11:23

Happy Friday all!!

For budget ideas, one of our supermarket chains does a savings stamps on a card, you put in €98 in €2 stamps, and they give you the last 1 (so extra 2% - better than interest rates!!). I tend to try and buy stamps when I have loose coins in that shop, and use the cards for food shopping around Christmas. Making up a hamper can be done as part of that shopping as there are usually lots of nice posh things available, and even just something made up of things your DPs/DPILs really like but don't buy themselves could be good. Or a themed hamper - an "afternoon tea" with nice teabags, posh biscuits, good strawberry jam for scones, some nice paper napkins, and a few other bits... A curry night with good curry spices or jar/2 of good sauce, basmati rice, puppodums and/or naan bread, chutney...Italian night with jar of good sauce, nice pasta, breadsticks, block of parmesan cheese (if timings work re refrigeration), nice pesto or bag of pine nuts to make their own, sun dried tomatoes, jar/tub of olives.....
Just think of what they like. It can be quite cheap, or you can add better products or wine or a couple of craft beers or something if you want to spend more.
And keep an eye out for suitable things as "baskets" during the year - a nice big flat platter type bowl for serving pasta in could work for an Italian theme, you might find a cake stand in a charity shop or sale for an afternoon tea version, or even just get a sturdy cardboard box and cover in nice paper (separate to the actual wrapping of the overall hamper).

I am hoping to bring some cross-stitch on holidays too and actually make time to work on it this year. If I manage that, it will be a present for someone.

barberstreisand · 03/05/2019 12:30

Happy Friday everyone, a long bank holiday too. There’s a lot of tips on this thread that I’ll be keeping in mind, I wish I was half decent at cross stitching because that seems like a super present.

My morning sickness has come back full throttle. I’ve been sent home from work because I’ve been sick all morning, I thought it was all over as wellSad

DeadDoorpost · 03/05/2019 16:16

Thanks for the ideas guys, I'll keep an eye out. I usually start early but with a baby on the way I don't really fancy it especially with the job situation. I do have a present for DH already and another idea that I'll get closer to the time (a wire cheese slicer). Hampers seem a good idea for in laws and GPs but my parents can be a bit... fussy.