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".

Good evening fellow poncers

I felt a bit glum today, my teen has been sent home due to the thing we don't mention on this thread. So I have ordered a lovely festive stamp, an ink pad and some brown paper to do some hand made wrapping paper.

I'm also trying to clear some space in the freezer for some make ahead stuff, so trying to eat our way through some of the bits in there. Veggie hotdogs round our firepit for bonfire night tomorrow I think...

@RhinestoneCowgirl I have 3/4 of a roll of brown paper & picked up a pack of festive stamps in Home Bargains (they say 12 but there are only ten ) to do the same thing with dd2 one weekend. I thought it'd be nice for grandparents & we'll make some loo roll tube snowflakes for decoration (if they turn out vaguely like the ones on Pinterest ).

@HollyandIvyandallthingsYule thanks for the ebay suggestion; there are loads of pretty decorations on there. I'd never even thought to look before!

You’re welcome! Many a Decembers past has been spent mostly on eBay searching for the perfect bauble...

Like I said, I’m not supposed to be looking! But yesterday I did - just a peek - and I found some lovely ones! But I’m going to try to resist as I already have lots.

Catching up on this thread after a forced absence. I updated my phone and had to log in again and it took ages to remember my email address and password

@RestorationInsanity what is the name of the wallpaper you’ve used? It’s stunning. Would you consider hanging a wreath off the mirror in the dining room? Obviously you’d need one with a neat back (so not my homemade efforts) but a mirror will double the thickness and make it very lush. I often put a vase of flowers in front of my hallway mirror for a similar effect.

Last year I used lots of candles on my mantle with greenery wound in and out between them. The Ikea fake candles can be set to come on daily for 6 hours, so I used a mix of those and real candles with Ikea tea lights inside. The fake pillar candles look a bit samey when there’s a lot of them, plus they’re pricey. And I could use a wider variety of sizes and shapes. I really appreciated not having to remember to turn them on and off (see first paragraph for memory situation).

Hope you’re feeling less glum today @RhinestoneCowgirl. A case of that-which-will-not-be-named at dd’s school today .

Found a copy of Nigel Slater’s Christmas Chronicles for £6 this week so will settle down with that later.

Thanks for the lovely thread - such a tonic!

Thanks @BestofLuck we've had an enjoyable evening around the campfire watching all the fireworks.

Now I've got space in the freezer I'm thinking of making some mini quiches - has anyone tried making these?

@thelegohooverer thank you so much! We knew we were making a bold choice but we really love it. It's Richmond Green Guinevere by Little Greene.

That's a lovely idea about hanging a wreath on a mirror. Haven't made a wreath before but my SIL is making us one with real foliage which could look just lovely on there (she's good at it!)

I'm a little nervous baby will arrive early and explode all my plans for poncing (not really though, as I can't wait for them to arrive!) But it would be lovely to take it shopping for its first Christmas tree!

Candles and greenery sounds lovely. If I need lots of something (like the candles) I usually stock up in the post Christmas sales. If I see any good value, I'll post a link (am hoping to have lots of browsing time as today was my last day at work!)

Wrapped up my Christmas cake to mature this afternoon, it's looks better than my usual one. I also blitzed the chocolate mint for the vodka, and about the 10 min later DH announced he'd found a bottle of it in the back
I was hoping to do some crafty stuff with DGS later this month but that's on hold.

I always make a chocolate biscuit pudding at Christmas but despite my best efforts they always look a little rough. I saw this idea on Pinterest for putting maltesers on the outside which I think I’ll try this year.
It also makes the pudding look much bigger, which might be a good thing as we’re used to the visuals of a big spread but there will only be four of us to eat it this year.

I love the idea of covering a smaller cake with malteasers , plus the DCs would prefer that to my normal xmas pud!

That cake looks great!

I’m watching The Bishop’s Wife this evening - one of my favourite Christmas films!

That cake, 🤩.Hi everyone,
Planning a lovely, leisurely poncetastic weekend here, maybe get some wire rings covered and wrapped in twine ready for teabag wreaths. I got some lovely shabby white trays and troughs so going to start gathering ideas and bits for those, Pinterest here I come, better get the do not disturb sign up, poncer at work.

Uff; I need a poncy distraction while we're in isolation (my bubble at work has popped) but still need to be able to supervise dd2 on Teams lessons (she's part of my bubble - doesn't really need me other than tech support). I have zero cash this week coming to spend & have hit a motivation brick wall.

Any ideas for something nice and gentle that'll fill the week?

Fabric baubles? It looks like you could hand sew them - the diamond shaped ones look as if they are hollow and can possibly hold little gifts.

Thanks Woolly I quite like the look of the woven stars, I'll have a root in my fabric boxes later on. Not sure I have much that would look good together as a decoration but we'll see.

Please can someone explain how Pinterest works?
I have found several pages of very pretty Christmas origami decorations, many saying ‘Free Templates’ , but when I click, no templates materialise. What should I be doing?

I never use Pinterest for the actual links, just for the ideas. If I see something I like and want to make , then I google it or look it up on YouTube.

Oh, Ok, that sounds a good idea. Thank you. I will see how I get on. It does seem strange to offer templates but not make them accessible directly.

Sometimes on Pinterest the link isn't highlighted clearly so I just click key words & see if it pops up 🤷‍♀️ Otherwise, google to the rescue for templates/instructions.

I use it as a picture board too. I find in recent years a lot of things there are corrupt links or click bait. It used to be really great but it’s gone downhill in the last few years imo.
I love it for browsing ideas and organising my creative delusions ambitions
You are probably better googling a string like “origami template free printable” but with caution because you could be downloading more than you bargain for.
Bloggers do drive traffic with free printable a so they’re often legit, but just be cautious.

We finished the advent calendars today! I’m rather pleased with them. They are to be filled with miniature penguin and gingerbread cookies and some lovely tiny chocolate Father Christmases I found in Aldi.

Very cute! @HintOfVintagePink

My lovely festive stamp arrived today...

I am embroidering napkins for gifts in my hamper. I just bought the linen napkins from La Redoute and plan on initialling one for each person.

Lovely poncing! The advent calendars are very nice. I love the way you’ve left the frame (or whatever you call the bit that holds the drawers?) natural - it’s very effective. I’d have painted it and I don’t think it would look nearly as nice.

That’s a fabulous stamp? How big is it?

Beautiful embroidery! I’d be beyond thrilled to receive something so lovely.