Christmas Virgin needs help with everything!!!!!!!!

[mosschops30]

Ok so this year I took the bright idea of inviting my parents down for Xmas. This enabled me to get out of going to my MIL's for the 8th year running

However I now realise I have no idea what I'm supposed to be doing, have lots of questions like:

1. Do I order my turkey or just buy it on the Saturday.
2. I normally make stuffing balls, should I stuff the turkey properly for xmas day, and should I be using 2 different stuffings (a la MIL)
3. When do you buy all your veggies and potatoes and stuff like that?
4. Where can I buy a nice cheap xmas table cloth and napkins.
5. What else have I forgotten ????

Is your name Mary?

do what you want!

we don't have turkey we (DH and Dc's) prefer chicken so i just buy that in my shop the week before.

i do seperate stuffing because i don't eat meat and then i can eat it, so if you'd normally do ti separate do it separate.

i get all mine in the supermarket!

hmm ot sure but again supermarket had then also have bought them from the same place i get the DC's party stuff

to enjoy the day!

order the turkey and then yo can pick it up on xmas eve. i dont actually like turkey, we are having a rib roast, dont have turkey if you dont like it. but anyway, whatever you have, id go to the butcher and order it now. dont forget to order chipolatas if yo ahve them with the turkey too

id have 2 types of stuffing, but cooked seperate. its easier and nicer IMO

buy veg from a nice farm shop. you could even order that too, and collect it on xmas eve.

ikea have nice tablecloths and napkins

if parents are coming -ask them to bring the starter or the pud. one less thing for you to think about and they prob dont want to come empty handed anyway.

and start buying booze now - a bit each week (if you drink as much as we do its best to spread the cost!)

whats the mary joke? am i missing something?

Sorry, sorry

1. definitely order it. There is normally a massive demand and there is likely to be a shortage this year, I'd imagine, with the problems the Norfolk turkey farmers have been facing.

2. I would do stuffing balls, or a tray, and two is nice but entirely up to you (I like an apricot one). I find if I cook the stuffing inside the bird, it isn't as reliable. Also, without the stuffing in there, you can bung in a couple of lemons - just make some holes with a sharp knife to let the juice escape. Helps makes the bird lovely and juicy, and adds a great flavour to the gravy.

3. Up to a week before - potatoes and carrots etc keep for ages. You can peel them the day before and keep covered in the fridge, too.

4. Try Matalan!

5. Don't worry about how MIL does it. This is YOUR Christmas, make your own traditions!

Mary? As in the Virgin Mary? Christmas?!

we dont drink much tbh and have plenty of wine in the garage that was given to dh last year.
We love turkey so will be having it. Should I just do my normal stuffing and then some sausage meat?
My mum is bringing puds and a trifle so thats sorted and I'm not doing a starter because we have a proper brekkie xmas morning.

So i need to order turkey then, only M&S doing ordering round here (£35 )

lol at mary!

1)Order the turkey (and do it soon cos may be a shortage this year - bird flu)
2) Do yer balls, then cooking bird is easier to work out. We have sausagemeat stuffing and sage and onion.
3)Veg/pots/chipolatas etc - either choose your own from farm shop - or M&S reday prepared in foil trays!
4) The Range? Woolies?Tesco?
5)Make sure you have chance to relax! Prep veg/make stuffing etc on xmas eve (we listen to carols from Kings on R4 in this house - v festive and relaxing), make a list of timings for cooking etc.

lol lydia, have been ill sorry so very slllooowwwww today. Plus am blonde which never helps in these situations

moss, have you tried your local butcher? most do ordering for xmas

Can't help with the turkey and stuffing.

But get a grip, woman, you have forgotten the wine!

Don't you have a local bitcher? That's where everyone round here gets theirs - the queue to collect them in the week before Christmas is massive!

We're having beef on the bone - I can't stand turkey!

Loca butcher for your turkey. Order asap, then pick up on xmas eve. Order sausagemeat etc as well if you need it.

Cost = about £20 ish for fair sized bird?

butcher

More lol at local bitcher - we have one of those, I try to avoid her though!

1. Order turkey very soon.
2. Do what ever you want with the stuffing. Personally I find it nicer when it has a crispiness when cooked outside the bird.
3. I use our local organic green grocers 5 mins walk from the house. He takes orders and does up a crate with exactly what fruit and veg you need and prices it, so I will pick it up on xmas eve. But I'm sure supermarket stuff is pretty good.
4. I bought my table cloth, runner and napkins at our local garden centre (not cheap but I got them in the Jan sale at the beginning of the year). Try John Lewis or look on the internet for xmas sites.
5. Try and make as much stuff ahead of time. You can cook red cabbage dish and freeze, likewise can prepare potatoes to the roasting stage and freeze on baking trays they tip into freezer bags, and cook from frozen on the day.

Delia's Christmas book is good for helping with timings as well as recipes for stuffing etc.

oooo, comeoveneer can you do that with the potatoes? so parboil and shake about to fluff up and then freeze? do they still taste nice?

don't try new recipies for the first time on the day, you will feel totally hasseled

cook what you know - if you like stuffing balls fine, birds take longer to cook if stuffed ifswim!

try tk maxx for pretty table decs, some are llready on offer.

don't get too drunk before you try dishing-up - it will turn into a war zone!

have a nice time

Provided you cook them in goose fat they are delicious.

So I can prepare my veg and just leave it in water overnight yes?
Lol at local bitcher ..... I am her . I wouldnt know about a local butcher, there is one in the next village but I have no idea if theyre any good?

Yes to veg in water. Stuffing in fridge.
Re butcher, buy a chicken there this week, ask lots of qu's about how to cook it, where it came from etc while you are in there and use flavour and advice to help you decide if they are OK for your xmas turkey.

good idea slouchy. I know the butchers has a very posh organic shop next door that makes an absolute fortune and is very popular with everyone so maybe they will be able to advise me too.