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".

Beautiful @WisestIsShe!
It's so calming to do, isnt it, and I love her colour palette.

@BigBadBox thank you, that might be fun to do with dd2 today :)

Sun room stripped of wallpaper .
Tried a simple mountain theme on spare bit of paper for walls that won’t be papered in log cabin effect. It might work .
Cleaned out larder that has been leaking due to building works .
Uuuggh !
Now I might get out of my pjs !

@WisestIsShe the peacock is beautiful. I love hand sewn ornaments. That’s going to be a treasured heirloom!

@RestorationInsanity I’ve never heard of gravity candles and now I need them

Have any of you seen small trees for sale anywhere (something around 2ft ish). Both girls want one for their rooms but I'm up to something like pg 56 of my ebay search & not seen any so far apart from two to collect in person somewhere like Stoke on Trent which I think might just be too far away

My daughter wanted one for her room so I’ve made her a wall hanging one. You can also buy them either cheap to decorate yourself or more expensive and poncey. I bought pink lights and decorations as it’s her favourite colour and expected it to look tacky but it actually looks pretty good.

www.idealhome.co.uk/news/hanging-christmas-tree-trend-216699

Oooh, I hadn't considered that style! I'll show the girls and see what they think; we could make them a weekend project maybe.

Lucysmam , these? cheap but £3.99 delivery.

I've been doing more Christmas baking today: I made Christmas morning muffins and rocky road. The freezer will be fit to burst!

@NoWordForFluffy. Ooh, I love rocky road. I never thought about freezing it. Doesn't the biscuit bit go soggy? Would you share your recipe please?

I've never noticed soggy biscuit! I think the huge amount of chocolate keeps it firm.

It's Nigella's recipe.

@lucysmam Poundland have these but they are very cheap.

Thanks @NoWordForFluffy that looks so tempting.

@TrickyD the postage would make them a bit more than I'd like to pay really.

@thelegohooverer they'd do the job (with a bit of poncing, of course!). I need to nip to Home Bargains at some point for some packed lunch things that are cheaper there, I'll try and remember to pop in. Did you have a go at the crochet?

It's very rich, @WisestIsShe. I use extra dark and dark chocolate rather than dark and milk and a baking block as the kids can't tolerate much milk. But it's still yummy!

@thelegohooverer I can't wait to get the Christmas tree so I can put them on!! I have visions of squishy newborn cuddles in front of the Christmas tree with just the Christmas lights on.

Lucysmam

TrickyD the postage would make them a bit more than I'd like to pay really

I agree, it would put me off too. The Poundland ones are a better bet and you and the girls would do a good ponce job. But if you can get into Home Bargains before Poundland you might find some there anyway.

@RestorationInsanity

I have now taken possession of gravity candles (the ones you hang over the branches of your Xmas tree with no wires and then you can operate then with a remote) and have bought the Benni wreath from Rowen and Wren to do some poncing and hang on the chimney breast in the lounge. Am thinking of some ivy from the garden and maybe some dried orange slices (made those and had no idea what to do with them!)

Mincemeat time this weekend too!

I bought the floating candles ( Harry Potteresque)

I think I will hang them from the ceiling in the hall ( not the Great Hall - the one that goes from the front door to the living room .

I decided to give the papercutting a go since I have nothing better to do while dd2 is Teams schooling this morning. It's harder than it looks to keep it neat!

Loving the gravity & floating candles; I think they might go on my wish list!

I love this thread, I hope it's ok to join in!?

I love Christmas and like to go the whole hog with crafts and extra tasty home made food. The last two weeks I've been trying to perfect my home made fruit loaf and it's actually amazing. Tea soaked fruit and dried peel, lots of zest and winter spices. It's mega cheap too compared to buying ready made and it costs about £1.60 for two huge loaves. I've attached a picture. Now that that has been perfected I'm going to start practicing my hand raised pies. Am hoping to make a mix of them. Chicken, ham, stuffing, sausage meat etc.

Looking to start proper crafting next week. Needle felting, polymer clay, casting and painting. I can't wait!!

@HotPatootiebootie that looks delicious When you've made your pies would you share some recipes? I'm a sucker for a homemade pie.

@lucysmam if you wind a bit of green garland along the stem it will make them look fuller. I’ve done this with a similar tree from a few years ago.

I haven’t found my wool yet to start crocheting and I’m too mean to pay delivery costs. I’m in Ireland and it’s rare to get delivery for less than €5.

@HotPatootiebootie you’re making me hungry.

I'm not keen on delivery charges either. I always transfer money to my friend who uses Prime if I order from Amazon so whatever comes delivered for free . I've found lots of nice looking wool websites after asking on here but object to paying delivery unless I order X amount of wool 🤷‍♀️ so will stick to the £1/cheap shops for now.

I'll add the garland to the list I have going on. I've seen it a few times but never had a use for it so resisted the urge to buy "just in case".

Sausage and stuffing rolls made thanks to inspiration from this thread. I'm not a great cook so am quite pleased with them! I made a batch for the freezer but needed to make a batch to test, naturally .

They look amazing, Pepper. It's compulsory to test a batch. Always!