Preparing for Poncetastic 2022

[VivaJen]

I know we start the Poncetastic thread in September but we all know that you have start your Poncetastic preparations early so I thought we could have a prequel type thread for the next month.

So what's everyone planning? 🎄🎄🎄

Well in that case 😄😄😄😄

Thanks @Zireael I'll have a look with the girls tomorrow after school & we'll have a test run at the weekend maybe...what could possibly go wrong (apart from everything since the thermostat on my oven's knackered 🙄)

You’ve all put me to shame, woke up this morning fretting I hadn’t done any of my baking or started my liqueurs yet. Really intended to do it first week of October but I’m now feeling inclined to get cracking!

Last year, thanks to this thread I brined my turkey (Nigella style) and it was a success. I had practised on a few chickens over Autumn. This year I’m going to experiment with dry brining. Including repeated tests with chicken so any tips on that welcome.

My plans for this year are Gingerbread Gin, some other booze, garlands for kitchen cupboard tops, mulled wine jam, candle making, table centre piece and maybe some food gifts. Also found doing compound butters in advance very useful.

Always do my cake and pudding but I’ve masses of mincemeat, chutneys and chilli jam over from last year that I’m hoping is still good.

@AMessageToYouRuby I've used this company for years and their stuff is great. A lot of candle making business use them but they sell in small amounts as well which makes them perfect for those of us just making a few gifts

candle-shack.co.uk/

Oh soo soothing! I love thinking about Christmas. I am very entry level but made a shell garland last year. I mainly love to plan and imagine and follow along even if I don't end up doing much! Would love another Nigel thread @Dillidilly thank you!

@AMessageToYouRuby Do you have a recipe for the mulled wine jam? I really would like to make a Christmas jam.

@VivaJen Thank you so much! I've just ordered a load of bits from there. Can't wait to give it a go. They seem to have a very informative YouTube channel as well for anyone interested. Even got one of the kits as a gift. I'm going to try and source some essential oils elsewhere as I'd quite like something like a Rosemary and Eucalyptus mix or Bay but this looks absolutely perfect for wax and wick paraphernalia.

@Karamna I was planning on using a variation of this recipe but I don't want to formally recommend it as I haven't made it yet. I saved it to my Christmas pins last year I think. I intend to vary the fruit as I don't much fancy stoning all those plums but mainly as every other recipe I've seen for MWJ uses berries (blackberries, raspberries, grapes and cherries seem particularly popular). I also think the spicing seems a bit mean, especially if I use berries, which generally have a stronger flavour. I will use a mulling mix I have for doing mulled wine. I'll do a taste test before adding the fruit and up the ante if it's a bit bland. To summarise, I'm winging it!

I now know we will be travelling "down home" for the festivities, and staying in DMIL's house. So no chance of enjoyable cooking at home. All tasty leftovers will be fed to chickens. And anything I make at home and bring will be scoffed by true ravenging hordes next door (darling nieces and nephew and DBIL and DSIL).

I have a few jars of mince meat from the batch 2 years ago which I hope will be nicely matured. I'm partly wondering about starting a new batch once the dried fruit goes on special offer.

I also want to visit home in October for sloes for gin (I know a few secret but well endowed hedges) as I haven't had those for a good few years now. Or I might make some blackberry gin as something different.

I usually do food and drink poncing, but this year we'll be treading a fine line between a Alzheimer's 91 year old and a 5 year old. I'll do my cake as usual plus my husband's stollen, I didn't do it las year and he's still complaining. I think we're going to do a hygge Christmas so I can make some homemade decorations with the 5 year old

Awww @BiddyPop does that mean you won't be doing your hampers? I love your hamper lists!

@GettingStuffed I love the idea of a hygge Christmas

My Paperwhites bulbs have been dispatched! I'm very excited 🌼

Has anyone ever put a sixpence in their Christmas pudding? Does it change the flavour or react with the ingredients?

@VivaJen
My Paperwhites have not been dispatched ! Don’t they know who I am ?

I've made my mincemeat & chilli jam. Feeling organised.

Haven't done the Christmas cake yet.

Do I need to buy a copy of Nigel slaters Christmas chronicles? Feeling left out.

@livingthegoodlife buy the Chronicles, if you like this thread you will love that book!

@Zireael I've done it for years, although not with a 6pence, as I'm not that old. I use a large coin, (choking prevention) 50p or £2. Depends on how dense your batter is as to when you put it in. For my pudding I put it in roughly the centre as I'm spooning into the pudding bowl. I've never found it changed the flavour or anything but then my pudding is very boozy. I usually give them a good scrub and wash first then boil and bake for a few minutes to sterilise. Make sure to warn the guests!

If you're putting it into a lighter mixture like a cake (we do this in my culture), cook for half or 3/4 of the time then push the coin in, otherwise will just sink.

I love this thread....I'm coming back to it after about 7 years in the wilderness (illness and divorce) ... am going to settle down with a cuppa and catch up...plans so far include a quilt for both DS and DSS....hurrah!

Thanks @AMessageToYouRuby it intend both my christmas cake and pudding to be boozier than a stag-do! Will definitely sterilise and warn the guests!

I keep picking up my CC and flipping through whilst trying to resist reading!!

 @Trumpton You're the reason I'm doing them this year but I ordered mine from Farmer Gracy not Sarah Raven so I bet yours will arrive really soon.

I will need your guide again this year to use alcohol to stunt their growth

VivaJen I might still do some as family presents - I haven't really figured out the plans yet this year. I know my DM would appreciate a hamper of HM goodies, but that will depend on me having time to do them, and that is looking less likely with work pressures. But I have made something handmade (crafty) for each of my DSiblings/Spouses and DPs for their stockings that I finally finished off last week (ongoing project for 3 years).

Bought 3 Litres of gin today for poncing. Am going to do Gingerbread and maybe Sloe or something festive like cranberry. Tesco do a bargain 1.5L for £22, pretty low proof but excellent for infusing and giving as gifts.

Also discovered they do frozen Pastel de Nata. Not a patch on Santa Nata but will reduce my huge detours for custards goodness. Might even serve these at Christmas breakfast if they go down well.

Ok, I am starting to think what I can do inspired by you lot ... I make advent calendars every year for the 3DC… And last year I finally ended up making fabric reusable ones so this year I'll have loads more time than normal… Just need to decide what the theme is for putting in the calendars… Used to be things like Lego bricks and sweets but last year it was pub snacks and pork scratchings flavours!

Oh I love this thread every year! It makes me so happy!

I’m planning to make a Christmas jam for the first time this year. Anyway tried and trusted recipes welcome please!

I’ll be doing a gingerbread house as usual.

All these organised ladies are so inspiring!

My first Christmasy thing was booked yesterday. Works Christmas do, in a city an hour away. So have booked into hotel so I don't have to worry about getting home and also means I can do some shopping and soak up the Christmassy atmosphere the next day.

I've got my little (squashed) village soaking atm to remove the glue I used to stiffen it, so that I can re-block and assemble it. It's surprising how much glue's coming out of it!

See, I always SAY I’m going to make people presents and not use saint aunt Bessie’s, but it never happens. This year I am going to try and be frugally poncey. I am going to infuse the vodka or whatnot in the dishwasher, and I’m going to sew those stocking and decorate those halls. This is going to be the most frugal (£75 budget), poncey, homemade Christmas EVER. <rolls up sleeves and sits down, ready to ponce> any tips wise mumsnetters? Deck x

I'm intrigued to hear about everyone's mincemeat. I always have some left over but by the summer, I always think it must be horrid after been sat in the heat for so long. It's in a kilner jar and sits in our eves but just seems too hot for it to keep properly - what does everyone do with theirs?

I bought the CC book on eBay last night for £8.50. Excited to get it!