Poncetastic 2020

[VivaJen]

I came on looking for the annual thread but can't find it so here is the start (courtesy of Fellatio - wherever you are)

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".

@doodlejump1980 those are awesome!!!

I'm getting jars delivered tomorrow and planning to do blackberry whisky. I have also found this recipe www.sainsburysmagazine.co.uk/recipes/drinks/gingerbread-gin
For gingerbread gin, but not sure what gin to buy for this. Any recommendations?

@Lalanbaba I'd go for a cheapish London Dry gin (if you have a Lidl near by, I've used their's for making various flavoured gins). Main thing is to avoid anything that has a lot of extra botanicals as you don't want to clash with the gingerbread, also don't bother buying a really expensive one.

IKEA do a range of kilner-style jars with clips and rubber seals - might be good for chutneys etc?

Haven't caught up with full thread yet but I am poncing daily! I'm making a family cross stitch sampler. Currently stitching my own image, looking festive in a raspberry coat. Just child 2 and the dog to add then I can do the motifs round the sides!

@Trumpton like this?? And put them in the garage? The bottom of the bulbs are in water, is that right? Sorry to ask so many questions

I have loads of holly that needs tidying up, any ideas what I could do with it (nearer the time obviously).

@Bercows
Umm yes but I generally start mine 11th November for Christmas . You don’t want the bulbs to actually be soaking in water as they might rot . Just nearly up to the base of the bulbs .
How much depth of pebbles do you have ? Prob need 2ins to allow room for roots .

If you want I can mock one up for you

I've added cooking apples and brandy to my shopping order that comes next Wednesday and going to have a go at Nigella's mincemeat recipe. Natural colour glace cherries are out of stock, so will have to be the bright red ones that I have in the cupboard.

Thank you @Trumpton that would be great. These aren't Paperwhites so will take longer I think. I'm going to do some every week to ensure I've got a good supply so if these flower early it doesn't matter and I have chance to get it right begins Christmas. The water is just up to the base but the pebbles are only an inch deep i think. I'll make them deeper.

@Bercows.
Ok that sounds perfect !
You are on your way ! Give them until they are about 3 ins high then put in warmer room

I’ve just got some jam jars to store some jam. I’ve googled Christmas jam and there’s a few different recipes. Hopefully the DC like it. I’ve also started my cake now. I also think I’m going to make Christmas cards for the family this year.

Shame you’re not near me (I assume) I have a cooking apple tree dripping with fruit as there are only so many crumbles one family can eat!

@RestorationInsanity thanks for the suggestion. Not lidl but have an aldi and a tesco I will have a look. Usually drink bombay but thought that would be an overkill and too much flavour on it already

I get a 10ft tree and put a set of 750 lights which glow intermittently. It’s not nearly enough but they take soooo long to get on the tree I can’t face doing a second set.

7ft tree last year and 1000 lights. They came on a spool like a set of weights! Tree was 8ft wide though.

I don't like whisky but we were given some (blended so not precious) and I am wondering whether it might be better with brambles in it. Can anyone confirm whether the whisky taste is masked?

How lovely to read this thread, it's great to know that people are planning poncy and beautiful Christmas stuff despite . .

@Trumpton I love the Sylvanians - our GD did a Sylvanian Nativity last year, with Three Wise King Penguins! Thanks to whoever posted the photo of sausage rolls, I had forgotten that I usually make some.
Confession time: DP and I have ordered our Christmas lunch from Cook. I know, it's shameful. I will of course make a big effort with the tree and other decs. And make as many mince pies as we can eat.

Clementine, black pepper and Bay gin.
Gingerbread gin.
Blackberry whisky.
All done and stocked in the pantry.
I'm trying different recipes for sausage rolls and today I used apple sausages with fennel and extra black pepper. Does anyone have tried to freeze them raw and cooked them from frozen? That would be great for Xmas Breakfast or Xmas eve.

Starting Marmalade gin this weekend . Known as breakfast gin here . A slug of that topped up with fizz on Christmas morning is Lovely.
HERE

That looks delicious @Trumpton, I have bookmarked...

I've started my cake. This year I'm doing Delia's Creole Christmas cake. She says to leave the fruit to soak for a week. I usually do it longer, I've also doubled the spices . I was hoping to do some simple crafting with my 3year old grandson, that's about my level too. The only crafty thing I'm going to do is knit DD a scarf in black with a,silver thread, if I can remember where I put the wool.

What a wonderful thread!

I’ve been pruning back the eucalyptus trees harder to get some extra growth in time to make the wreath on 1 December. Our pine cone stock is also pretty good, too.

We went on a gin making course a few weeks ago and made our Christmas gin: flavours of cassia, orange and grains of paradise.

The baking cupboard is ready with all the ingredients for cake, Christmas biscuits and the gingerbread house.

I’ve woken up this morning extremely excited about it all!

Oh my word, a gin making course!

Re: gazillions of Christmas lights. Back in my student days I worked as a temp in WH Smith and we did a tree trim course
I may be preaching to the converted, but for getting your lights on, go from trunk outwards, so like a spiral iyswim, and always always always put the lights on first so you can judge optimum placement for your balls!

Love the idea of that gin trumpton- going to give it a go.

Cake making today - at least soaking the fruits. I’ve decided on a buttered rum cake.