The 2022 Poncetastic Christmas Thread

[VivaJen]

Welcome to the 2022 Poncetastic thread. With a nod to Fellatio (wherever she may be) at the stroke of midnight, let the poncing commence.

"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.

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 jobs worth 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 canapés 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 Bessie’s' on the packet, this is not the thread for you".

Ah such a lovely robin. And the nativity is fantastic!!😍

I packed up the girls’ birthday/Christmas parcel today (including wrapping the presents) and it looks like Christmas carnage in the living room. I’ll have to tidy tomorrow as I can’t face it today. Every year i tell myself, YOU MUST BUY A TAPE DISPENSER but by the time it rolls round again I always think, how bad can it be?

I’ve decided that next year everything will be given in gift bags or wrapped in scarves/fabric, as I can’t be doing with this faff ever again. However it did feel cosy when it was all done.🎄

@ChristmasPickleRick just saw your photo. Lovely poncing, the biscuits sound really yummy and look great, and the hat looks fab. How nice for your children to have that togetherness with you both on the day!🎄

Wonderful poncing and glorious pictures all!

I have wrapped the last present today, that is the full extent of my poncing, unless you count reading a christmassy magazine 😀

I’m so cross with myself this morning. Moved the mincemeat last night to get to the baileys as a reward for wrapping the children’s presents and I obviously hadn’t closed the lid properly. It’s so mouldy! I’d used up all sorts of nice odds and ends in it and was really looking forward to it.

I’ve been crocheting chocolate orange covers too and I just can’t seem to get the wings right on the robin or the penguin.

Oh well. Do we think mincemeat will have time to nurture before the 19th if I make it today (with the spare time I don’t have!)?

Ah no what a shame! Mincemeat will be absolutely fine and delicious if you make it today.

Thanks @TangledWebofMincemeatDeception and sorry, that was uncharacteristically negative from me this morning. New batch of mincemeat in progress! Dug an old slimline tree out of the loft and put it up in the living room for 2 year old and 5 year old daughters to decorate with all the “lovely” bits they have made. I think they take after me - their enthusiasm makes up for any lack of skill! Husband raised an eyebrow at the second tree but is still treading gently after mincemeat gate!

@HoHoJ0 hard luck with mincemeatgate! Take my advice and ponce up some shop bought stuff!

All of these are amazing. I haven’t had a chance to do much ponceing at home, as I’m part f a community group doing top level ponceing for our town. The tree is a basic steel frame with crocheted mandalas on wire cable tied on. This would be very doable on a smaller scale as a table topper.

That mandala tree is the best thing ever. Ever. Ever. I am going to think about that all year now. Well done to your group and your council.

Oh wow. That is amazing @Bareknees.

I brought my Narcissi In yesterday - they've shot up and grown more roots even in last 12 hours.

Having had a roaring start to Christmas prep I now feel miles behind. So much dashing about!

Anyway, I thought I’d share this beautiful card we found down the back of our fireplace when we replaced the surround. Our house was built in 1929 so I’m guessing it’s perhaps mid 1930s? We have the deeds to our house somewhere so I must check if any of the Lucy family lived here!

Wow, the mandala tree is fantastic! @lucysmam you could do a scaled-down version for your village, next year!

@PooterLoop they're looking good, and I really liked the vases/lanterns you used.

@HintofVintagePink that’s lovely, what a great find. We found some newsprint from the 1890s stuffed into the wall, when we were doing some work on our house.

I love that card!

@Bareknees that tree is amazing! And @HintofVintagePink what a find!

We have finished poncing up our village in the front room window. Excuse the blurry pictures - it was freezing and I didn't hang about making sure the phone camera was in focus!

Wow Confused what a treat for passers by. I love it.

Some town poncing at a lantern parade I help with

Wow, confused!! That's amazing!

Photos of lanterns would help

The lanterns look great! Love a parade!

Plum brandy and chili oil ready for bottling. This weekend will make Winter Solstice gifts.
Tree is up

@Bareknees wow your mandala tree 😍

We've no decorations up yet...planning to pick a tree at the weekend...but @TangledWebofMincemeatDeception has reminded me I need to find my Christmas mug.

@lucysmam loving your peg people nativity.

I'm keeping on with my craftvent calendar but missed yesterday (hopefully I'll squeeze it in at the weekend). I think my favourite is a letter for Santa. Today's pink Santa is a bit controversial in this house.

@Bareknees wow! That tree is absolutely incredible!

@Confusedmeanderings what a beautiful scene. Love it

Love the village @Confusedmeanderings.
The lantern parade is a great idea, @HannahDefoesTrenchcoat I will try to get our town to do similar next year.
@dementedma what will you be making?

Some lovely things happening. I especially love the village @Confusedmeanderings - it’s beautiful.