Xmas prep

[RoseyPeas]

Is it too early to start makingJamie Oliver's Get Ahead Gravy?

Ahhhh like minded people this lockdown has made me get bored and make lists... I've started shopping for Baby DS who will be 20 months at Christmas. Some good bargains on Playmobil 123 (Construction Site and Trucks) which I'm trying instead of all Happyland... I have ordered the Happyland Train Set though, the Christmas Set and a Dear Santa Book...

Need lockdown to end so that I stop shopping ha ha

Well since I last posted I have made 4 jars of mincemeat (thanks for the idea @NoWordForFluffy).

They made the kitchen smell amazing - so we ate almost half in a couple of mincemeat tarts!

I've also bought several packs of charity Xmas cards.

Really nice to find other people cheering themselves up with Xmas prep!

Still not made Jamie's get ahead gravy yet

If you've had half, you'll need to make more, I'd imagine! The kitchen smell is amazing, isn't it?

Oops @NoWordForFluffy thought I'd replied to you but obviously failed to post.

Yes, I blame the kitchen smell - we couldn't help.ourselves trying some!!
Need to make more - another 4 jars at a guess, and then I'll hide them away

@UtterlyUnimaginativeUsername

I have my sprouts on.

@RoseyPeas, I'm going to make a second batch, which has a different recipe (cider rather than brandy as the alcohol!). I just need to get the ingredients.

@NoWordForFluffy made my second batch today- resisting it now til xmas!! But I'm quite tempted by trying a recipe with cider

I love feeling that I am going to be less stressed in Nov/Dec.

Have bought Xmas cards too!

I always buy stocking fillers well in advance. Even the January sales (I buy cards etc). I have enough fillers- just need to get chocolate nearer the time. We have a large house with decent storage. I prefer to spread the cost.

I made my second batch today too! It's been put safely under the stairs out of sight!

I’ll start putting money away in July then shop in September for tokens and gifts for in-laws.

For the past 3 years I have made a Beauty Advent Calendar for my DD . She'll be 18 soon and I'll be thinking about BAC Year 4 (I have obviously set up a Tradition and she really likes this , but it forms part of her Christmas presents stash )

As of Sept I start looking for beauty gifts , especially on 3for 2 and kits on QVC .
Last year (so save on wrapping waste) I bought a gorgeous Teddy Bear box from TKMaxx and a red ribbon, which I threaded wooden 1-24 decorations on each night .
Ribbon and decorations saved for this year , the box is being used for storage .

I have always planned ahead and last year I ended having surgery in Oct which took a while to recover from. So though I was able to spend time online browsing, I couldn't get to the shops.

Goes off to look at mincemeat recipes .......

I've been here googling a full diy spa gift set. I'm thinking all homemade candle, lush-style bubble bar, body scrub and butter and some fudge and a not homemade little tin of g&t. And I then realised there isn't really anyone I'd give it to (don't really do christmas gifts with family or friends.) It's acceptable to spend a lot of time, effort and money on doing it for myself, yeah?

It's acceptable to spend a lot of time, effort and money on doing it for myself, yeah?

Beyond acceptable and verging into compulsary territory

My DC are adults now so I have the restful Christmas Eve bath with nice bubbles , face mask, clean bedsheets and a big mug of coffee

@HolyShmoly yep absolutely! Do it!
Maybe use it in the run up to Christmas before things get too busy/stressful.

I bought a second hand copy of Sarah Raven's Complete Christmas yesterday.

Mainly for the floral decoration, as our Christmas menu is pretty much set in stone.

Looking forward to that turning up sometime.

RosePeas, that sounds fab, I love looking through my old Country Living Christmas editions for inspiration on decorations and recipes. I made mincemeat 2 yrs ago and still have it in the jars - I must be off by now. I always run out of time and end up buying mince pies!

@HolyShmoly this is a fabulous idea! I've always hankered after those beauty advent calendars but never could bring myself to part with the money for them, especially when I'm not particularly brand loyal and would love little mixes of nice food, spa things and beauty bits and pieces which none seem to do. I'm due my first baby any day now and this will be my first Christmas off in what I can remember so I think I might just create one of these for myself 🥰

My DC are adults now so I have the restful Christmas Eve bath with nice bubbles , face mask, clean bedsheets and a big mug of coffee

My dc are not adults yet but I’m letting this image percolate in my brain, ready for the day when they are. Christmas Eve is currently the most stressful day in my year.

@AnxiousElephant77 a Christmas wedding sounds lovely! Crackling log fires, fur wraps, twinkling lights, mulled wine...I’m getting carried away.

Do you think it’s too soon to make a cake? My wonderful uncle used to start his puddings on the 26th of December and they were lush. I’m not sure about cake though? I feel the itch to be doing something! For various reasons I won’t be buying as much in advance this year. Although my Christmas savings have plummeted because I usually put spare change aside, and for the last three months I haven’t handled cash at all.

Inspired by this thread I have also made some mincemeat. Am now wondering what I should do with the remaining raisins, currants, sultanas and brandy?

@Barbararara I am also wondering if a cake made now would last until December. Anyone have a good recipe?

I'm pretty sure a cake would be fine, if well-fed!

My mum used to make 3 cakes each year, I would guess in about October. One for Christmas, one for Chinese New Year and one for Easter. They lasted fine (and wow can they absorb a lot of alcohol over that period!)