Poncetastic Christmas 2024

[StiffyByngsDogBartholomew]

@vivajen hasn't posted on MN for a year so I've taken the bull by the horns. I can't wait any longer !
Wherever you are, Fellatio, here's to you. I hope you're brining a turkey and had crafting authentic organic woven tinsel somewhere.
"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".

🎄🎄🎄🎄

@StiffyByngsDogBartholomew apple and honey Scones sound amazing. I might have to make some as we have masses of both (beekeepers with a very healthy apple harvest this year). The cake also looks fabulous.

I'm after some ideas. This might seem ridiculously poncy, but this is the poncestastic thread after all. I have a couple of these beautiful cote des roses bottles and I want to fill them with something pretty and festive, but preferably pink as it would match the decoration and pink glass stopper. I'm thinking cranberry gin or pomegranet vodka (could cheat using grenadine maybe).Anyone have any other ideas?

I really liked the cranberry gin we made a couple of years ago, or was it last year? 🤔 It looked so pretty and it worked well for festive cocktails. It's the one thing we might make again this year as we'll actually drink it (don't drink all that much alcohol anymore!).

@RainbowZebraWarrior I have a few of those bottles in the garage as well - far too pretty to throw away! I think a dark drink (sloe gin or similar) wouldn't work very well. I may try the winter berry gin here https://sipsmith.com/make-pink-gin/

Or maybe I'll make kir in the bottle and chill it beautifully for Christmas drinks.

Oh definitely make kir!

@RainbowZebraWarrior rhubarb gin might be good in your bottles. That will be pink, all right.

Thanks for this. I've had a read through the link and ordered some fresh cranberries and forced rhubarb on next week's waitrose order. Hopefully that will be a decent combination with a nice result colour wise.
I also noticed Absolut Hunni which I'm assuming is honey vodka. That got me thinking of hot buttered rum we used to serve in a restaurant I was a chef in. So rum has also been added to the order to make hot buttered honey rum.

In my head, I have a steady stream of jovial festive season visitors. Perhaps some carollers in need of a warming snifter dressed in victorian garb (does occasionally happen). In reality, though, nobody comes to my house and I'm my own first foot each year. I just love planning and making things.

@TheSandgroper and @NowLightOneThousandChristmasLights I've just refreshed the page and seen your posts. I think I'll make 3 different types as I have 3 bottles. So I'll do one rhubarb, one cranberry and one Blackcurrant as we have some from our garden the freezer. I need more shelves!

I have three fruity vodkas developing under the stairs! I'm probably the only person who'll drink them, mind you!

I bought some small bottles in my first ever visit to Sostrene Grene this week - thinking they'll be great for giving some of my Christmas drinks in.

DH has a big collection of old decanters (auctions are one of his hobbies - just found two big wooden ducks in the boot he's obviously planning on sneaking in later without me noticing 🙄), most of which I have banished to a cupboard in the garage, but I'm thinking I should fill them all with the different flavoured drinks that are brewing/will be brewing.

I made cocktails yesterday. This one had a half lime skin on top with alcohol in that you flames! We sprinkled cinnamon on top of the flames to make it sparkle!
Poncetastic enough?

That is awesome @Trumpton. Tres festive :)

does anyone know where one can buy second hand Folio Society books ? I want this copy of Rebecca for Christmas as my ancient one has finally fallen apart and I just love that edition. But I can't find any second hand copies on Amazon's used book sellers or anywhere. Can anyone recommend an online used book seller ? It's just a bit too much money new to ask DD to spend as she has budgeted £30 each for DH and me.

on another note the Kingston Lacy tea bread is really sublime, highly recommended. Here's the recipe https://www.greatbritishlife.co.uk/magazines/dorset/22609892.recipe-make-national-trusts-honey-tea-bread/

That looks awesome @Trumpton I also love the green (velvet?) dress. As stiffy has just said, Tres Festive! 🌲

@LaChatte was it you making the wonder crackers? How are you getting on ? I'm seriously debating making a set

Ive decided to drink a glass of dessert wine while I prepare the supper. I'm listening to an MR James ghost stories anthology and having a lovely time. Dh is in the bath and Dd is doing her prep so it's all quiet on the kitchen front :)

please ignore the washing up but this is my kitchen autumn decoration. I've got Primarni spiced pumpkin candles burning too, I'm sure Nigel Slater's nose would be most offended by their cheapness but some of us can't afford £90 for a hand poured by Nepalese virgins candle 🤣

Here

Definitely poncetastic enough.
More so if that's your basement? 😉😁

If only that was my basement! 🤣
M&S green cord dress from last year. But it’s available in red this year. ( I bought it as well)

Not me @StiffyByngsDogBartholomew , I was one of the ones resisting buying the pattern 😅

@Trumpton that is definitely poncetastic! What was in the cocktail?

Shape Shifter Cocktail based on a Zombie.

Glashtyn Spiced Manx Rum (The Fynoderee Distillery)
Glashtyn Silver Manx Rum (The Fynoderee Distillery)
Hurricane Overproof Manx Rum (Outlier Distilling Co.)
Fresh pineapple juice
Home-made vanilla-infused
Panela syrup
Freshly squeezed lime juice
Passion-fruit liqueur
Fyn-Tiki bitters
Cinnamon dusting

It was amazing.

All the drinks etc look and sound fantastic. Need to get started on the festive drinks.

Can't remember who the paperwhites expert is but just wanted to check these are on track?

Paperwhites on right - these are the tallest the others I've got growing in various stages but shorter. The amaryllis is on left.

@Magnoliasunrise
I start mine tomorrow so yours are a bit ahead. I would cool them down a bit if they are inside.

Link to Cornell university “Pickling your Paperwhites”

https://flowerbulbs.cornell.edu/forcing-research/pickling-your-paperwhites/#:~:text=“Start%20your%20bulbs%20in%20plain,like)%20to%207%20parts%20water.

My jars of marmalade!
I've found a recipe for mango chutney that I'm going to try next. It says to simmer on the hob for 3 hours so I'll be trying it in the slow cooker instead.

They look superb! I used to make my own mango chutney for my café and it was an entire pain in the arse. Chopping endless expensive fresh mangoes and simmering for hours. I now do a cheats version with tinned ones (I've even subbed for peaches; nobody noticed) Takes about 40 minutes. Bloody lovely.

Heres the recipe for peach and chilli chutney that I loosely follow. Tastes just like mango chutney.

https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/peach-chilli-chutney

@trumpton thanks so much for that, I'll get them outside.