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Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

Original poster

In preparation for Christmas today I will……

777 replies

Beautifulsunflowers · 04/11/2023 08:40

…….organise the freezer space and get if it stops raining I’ll go into town to WHSmiths to hopefully get the dark chocolate toblerone for ds’s stocking. I’m also going to make a few more Pom poms for my Pom Pom wreath.

Whst are you all doing today in preparation for the big day?

OP posts:
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NoWordForFluffy · 14/12/2023 08:20

stillholly · 14/12/2023 07:59

I am joining you for wrapping day. Probably won't get it all done, but I will make a start and hopefully be done by Sunday.

Do you put wrapped presents under the tree?

We don't. I remember reading once that it can be a security risk if your tree is somewhere visible. We put them out on Christmas Eve.

(We also now have a dog, so it's a definite no for that reason!)

RainbowZebraWarrior · 14/12/2023 08:36

NoWordForFluffy · 14/12/2023 08:20

We don't. I remember reading once that it can be a security risk if your tree is somewhere visible. We put them out on Christmas Eve.

(We also now have a dog, so it's a definite no for that reason!)

Show quote history

We used to put a lot of the smaller presents under the tree when I was a kid. Don't do it now till Christmas Eve.

On a weird note, our Christmas tree has caused our cat to have idiopathic cystitis. Took him to the vet last night, who noted that he had exactly the same thing this time last year and the year before. I just assumed it was triggered by the colder weather. She said that getting the tree out can cause stress in cats which can cause cystitis. I realised that's probably right as the tree blocks a lot of the access to the windowsill he usually sits on. Poor puss!

Today I am finishing off hampers for our school Christmas fair tomorrow.

Taytocrisps · 14/12/2023 09:32

stillholly · 14/12/2023 07:59

I am joining you for wrapping day. Probably won't get it all done, but I will make a start and hopefully be done by Sunday.

Do you put wrapped presents under the tree?

Nope, I've two cats.

Togekiss · 14/12/2023 12:26

BaconAndAvocado · 14/12/2023 07:44

It's Wrapping Day.

I used to love wrapping presents but it now feels like another chore.

Really need to find my Christmas mojo Xmas Confused

I used to be the same. Loved wrapping presents and doing them really nicely as well with ribbon etc.

I still enjoy wrapping presents but I think it’s just the sheer volume now that takes away some of the joy in it that I used to have (when I only had a few people to buy for).

Now it’s presents for two kids, partner, mum, dad, teacher gifts, etc. It’s just a lot to get through.

That being said, this evening is also the day I’m going to make a start with wrapping so hopefully once I’ve made a dent in it I will be more relaxed and able to get into the spirit more.

Taytocrisps · 14/12/2023 13:15

Got most of my presents wrapped last night. I still have to do the Santa ones but there's only three of those. I need to dig out the stocking fillers from their various hiding places and see if the stocking is full, or if I need to buy anything else to put in it. Annoyingly, DD doesn't like chocolate much, so I can't just stick in a chocolate orange or Toblerone or even chocolate coins.

Need to clean another two rooms.

AdoraBell · 14/12/2023 13:24

This morning I made cheese sauce for cauliflower cheese. I’ll freeze it once it’s properly chilled.

drspouse · 14/12/2023 13:44

I am going to find (and possibly fill) a fountain pen and write some damn Christmas cards. DH got me stamps so I have to now.

AdoraBell · 14/12/2023 16:50

Cheese sauce in the freezer and I need to sort DD2’s room, she’s coming home this weekend 😁Her Christmas bedding needs freshening up so I’ll put it on a rinse tomorrow as I have some laundry to do.

RainbowZebraWarrior · 14/12/2023 19:09

This evening I am road testing pigs in blankets. Sainsbury's are crap. I don't know why I bothered again. The bacon just burns, and the sausages remain flabby. The best ones I ever had were from the butchers counter at Waitrose, but we don't have a butchers counter any more. I'm not keen on M&S or Waitrose standard ones. I've got some long chipolata types from Waitrose with a sage leaf. Trying those next. I know I'm better off assembling my own (with thin panettone that crisps, but also allows the sausage beneath to cook) but I'm disabled and trying to save myself a couple of extra jobs on the day / night before.

RainbowZebraWarrior · 14/12/2023 19:20

RainbowZebraWarrior · 14/12/2023 19:09

This evening I am road testing pigs in blankets. Sainsbury's are crap. I don't know why I bothered again. The bacon just burns, and the sausages remain flabby. The best ones I ever had were from the butchers counter at Waitrose, but we don't have a butchers counter any more. I'm not keen on M&S or Waitrose standard ones. I've got some long chipolata types from Waitrose with a sage leaf. Trying those next. I know I'm better off assembling my own (with thin panettone that crisps, but also allows the sausage beneath to cook) but I'm disabled and trying to save myself a couple of extra jobs on the day / night before.

Panettone? Why did my phone feel the need to autocorrect that from Pancetta?!!

Pinkkisugarmouse · 14/12/2023 19:35

DH finished putting decorations up in the spare room and crucially in the window so I saw it when I arrived back.

Having very young cats means very few decorations this year except for this room where I sit and read and have a cuppa.

It’s also the room where hamsters are put when we have one. DD’s little girl Clover is staying with us at Christmas whilst her mum is on holiday. So another reason why it’s a cat free zone.

mambojambodothetango · 14/12/2023 19:42

Did final 'feed' of the cake with brandy. Have used a third of a bottle on it now so hopefully the fact I left it in the oven 45 mins too long has been compensated for. Just need to make the marzipan and icing now. But just re-read recipe and it says marzipan has to sit on the cake for a good few days before icing goes on, so looking like I'll be icing on Christmas Eve now.

BellaTheDarkOverlord · 14/12/2023 20:11

I labelled all the family presents with tags so I know who belongs to who now. I have also started making my rainbow jellies. Put the raspberry jelly in the cups, tomorrow I’ll put in the orange jelly then strawberry Saturday. Ordered dd1 her last present which is coming tomorrow and I’ll wrap it Saturday as she’s having a day out with her nana.

RainbowZebraWarrior · 14/12/2023 20:19

mambojambodothetango · 14/12/2023 19:42

Did final 'feed' of the cake with brandy. Have used a third of a bottle on it now so hopefully the fact I left it in the oven 45 mins too long has been compensated for. Just need to make the marzipan and icing now. But just re-read recipe and it says marzipan has to sit on the cake for a good few days before icing goes on, so looking like I'll be icing on Christmas Eve now.

I always question why the books say wait for the marzipan to dry out before putting on icing. Dry marzipan is awful, and it's such a shame when you've gone to the bother of making your own. I notice that Good Housekeeping says minimum 12 hours to 2 days. Others say up to 5 days. I've always marzipanned and Iced the same day. Official reason is apparently only to allow a firm platform for sugar paste. I can't see the point myself.

Togekiss · 14/12/2023 22:32

Started wrapping a little while ago.

Forgot how long it takes… don’t plan on getting it all done tonight (up early tomorrow morning for work) but at least I’ll have made some progress.

Also living in fear of the toys making noises as I lift them into the kitchen to wrap and the kids hearing as the room they’re stored in is directly under their bedrooms!

BaconAndAvocado · 15/12/2023 07:40

Got 95% of my wrapping done yesterday, just a few little bits left and, of course, the last minute items DS2 has requested that haven’t even arrived yet in the post.....

Today I’m going to plan wha I need to make in advance food-wise and freeze and put the ingredients on my internet food order.

A friend has given me a red cabbage recipe that looks fab and I thought I’d go retro and make some peppermint creams.

PearlSlaghoople · 15/12/2023 08:00

@RainbowZebraWarrior

Our cookery teacher always told us that marzipan had to ‘dry out’ or it would go mouldy if still damp and then iced… I’ve never done Xmas icing since back then so have never tested the theory!

Broodywuz · 15/12/2023 10:50

*@BaconAndAvocado could I have the red cabbage recipe please?

Very productive day yesterday, soup and pudding made and in the freezer. Finished off the kids shopping and most of the wrapping. Just need to get all the santa stuff out, sort out who's is who's and wrap it. Hopefully tonight with a nice large Baileys. This is the most organised I've been since having kids, mainly thanks to this thread!! 👏

Taytocrisps · 15/12/2023 14:19

I'm in the process of clearing out the spare room for my Dad for when he stays over. I've also assembled a small, oil filled radiator because it's a cold room. I need to get someone to look at the actual radiator in the new year. I've resolved not to not to use the spare room as a dumping ground in 2024 yeah, like that's gonna happen.

I also picked up a nice little wire tray for my tiny en-suite, to hold all the lotions and potions. Not strictly necessary for Christmas but looks smarter than a load of random bottles on top of the window ledge falling over like skittles if you hit off one of them. Once I finish in the spare room, I'm moving onto the en suite (to clean it). Can't wait to see how the window ledge looks with the wire tray on it.

The good news is, DD's stocking was fairly full when I tried putting all the bits and pieces into it, so no need to buy anything extra.

Oh and I found a selection of gift bags from last Christmas, so I shouldn't need to buy any more.

BellaTheDarkOverlord · 15/12/2023 16:03

Today I took delivery of dd1s last gift and it’s in garage currently. It’s massive and can’t lift it into the loft to hide it!

I bought the last bits for stockings which are toothbrushes. Sound boring but dd1 loves a new toothbrush and fun toothpaste and dd2 just got first teeth so she needs one too.

Ordered dh last gift to come tomorrow as well as dd2 a last gift. Dh’s is a game for Xbox and dd2 is a baby monitor. Mum was asking what to buy dd2 so I might suggest putting money towards this for her.

I finished my Christmas Eve box for PILs which they get next week. They do one for all the grandkids and us so we started doing one for them too. Just includes mostly snacks, socks, a few little trinkets but not expensive. Got them a box of northern lights pinecones which when burned in their log burner light up all different colours.

Bought the gift vouchers for dh’s grandparents as that is what they asked for. Bought a money wallet for my grandparents as that’s what they want. Picked up cat biscuits so I won’t run out over Christmas.

Tomorrow evening after dark we’re going Christmas light hunting. We always get a McDonald’s and drive around looking for lights in nicer areas than ours 😁It’s our tradition which we didn’t get chance to do last year and dd1 reminds me constant we did not go!

BaconAndAvocado · 15/12/2023 16:41

Broodywuz

In preparation for Christmas today I will……
In preparation for Christmas today I will……
BaconAndAvocado · 15/12/2023 16:42

Oh god that’s awful!
I will get DS onto it....

BaconAndAvocado · 15/12/2023 16:50

This might be clearer.

In preparation for Christmas today I will……
ChristmasIsComing2023 · 15/12/2023 16:59

We’re having the buffet on Christmas Day and going to Toby Carvery on Christmas Eve like we did last year 😊

ChristmasIsComing2023 · 15/12/2023 17:00

stillholly · 13/12/2023 20:53

Is that for Christmas Eve or Boxing Day? Buffet food sounds good idea.

I collected a parcel today.

Show quote history

We’re having the buffet on Christmas Day and going to Toby Carvery on Christmas Eve like we did last year 😊

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