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".

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Thank you, this looks lovely!
I was thinking of using frozen mango tbh to cut down on the cost. Didn't think about using tinned but that's a good shout.

Sorry to quote such an old post but did you make all of these yourself? If so any links please? Paper chains are self explanatory obviously! It looks absolutely stunning!

I am thinking of doing something similar in my kitchen but with bright colours.

Does anyone have any tips on sticking up decorations like this without ruining the walls or ceiling? DH was thrilled to pull a chunk of paint off the hall ceiling alongside the Halloween decoration he was taking down for me

@nonoteveryonehasitthesedays if we are lucky @Trumpton might have time to share a few previous themes with us?
Credit where it's due, that room always looks gorgeous 😍

@nonoteveryonehasitthesedays

Thank you for your kind words.
I made all the pom-poms and chains and the big stars that are remarkably easy. I did buy the old fashioned paper fold out globes.

Let me put the link up for the stars

m.youtube.com/watch?v=dVtc_Un2JCk&pp=ygUSVHdpc3RlZCBwYXBlciBzdGFy

Thank you! I’ll give those a go or see if I can rope the DC into it as they are more crafty than I am.

@HannahDefoesTrenchcoat
i think I started in 2014 when a local school was getting rid of some huge bells that had been used in a shop.
2015 Silver birch woods. Snow flake ceiling and Silver Birch wallpaper.
2016 Starry nights. I draped the ceiling in navy gauze over the fairy lights and used silver accents.
2017 Book wallpaper and bunting made from newspaper. We all had a Ladybird book as a place marker
2018 Chalk board. I reused the bunting but changed the wallpaper. Used tiny black boards as place markers
2019 Bit more simple as I had started chemotherapy but DD and DGC painted the walls with sparkly teal paint
2020 Feeling better and did LogCabin and tartan bunting. Wooden place mats.
2021 Toadstools and gnomes. Repainted walls stuck paper gnomes on.
2022 Good Luck Cranes 150 origami cranes and Crane wallpaper.
2023 Elf!
2024 Moomins. I started stencilling forest walls and have little characters to stick amongst the trees. Moomin crackers. And place markers.

I know it’s OTT and very poncetastic but even when I was undergoing treatment it gave me such joy!

@Trumpton ...I've got my bulbs, washed pebbles and vase at the ready. Where did you place them once set up please? I've seem some recommendations for leaving them in a dark cool place for a couple of days then others saying in direct sunlight 🤔

Dark cool place until about 3 ins high or decent roots. Then warm them up.

Ps my bulbs already have about 3 ins of growth so I am waiting for roots

@Trumpton thank you so much for the paper white inspiration, I'm one day behind but just got sorted and I'm quite delighted to have achieved something other than keeping a baby and toddler alive this week 😂 good to know about keeping them in the dark at first also, must move them now.

@UpOnTheHousetop I simply love your marmalade jar decorations, it's so festive. I'd love to receive something like that. I went to Sostrene Grene this morning and picked up a bunch of small Christmassy tins which I'm hoping to use to box up brownies/biscuits etc for presents for the teachers, neighbours and so on. I just love an edible gift! Love making them, love giving them!

@RainbowZebraWarrior you sound like me! I'm always planning like I'm hosting a range of extravagant Christmas parties but I'm definitely not!

I'm going to make some marmalade for gifts this year does anyone have any suggestions for making it festive?

Also going to make mincemeat for the first time! Any tips? I don't like mince pies personally but need to bake a load for a PTA Christmas Fair....

I finally have something to contribute! 🎄🤩

Firstly I'm finishing off my Emma Bridgewater decoupage coasters from last year (or maybe the year before that?)

I'm also making a dolly blanket for a little vintage dolls bed I picked up for my nearly two year old. I've had this wool for ages and it's using it up nicely.

I'm also crocheting some festive granny squares for a little lap blanket that will adorn the back of the armchair.

This is the stocking I picked up for my daughter. I live in France so options are limited but this was beautiful.

Oh yeah, cake is also made! Phew! 😂

What about putting something like this in your marmalade ? Glittery stars
or make clementine marmalade ?

I wouldn't put the pretty stars in thr marmalade as they will evaporate to nothing, though you could sprinkle a few on top of each jar once cool, that would look great.

We use half brown or demerara sugar when we make marmalade, it is so much nicer.

You can cut out pretty fabric for the top of the lid and secure with an elastic band and ribbon, to jazz up your presentation a bit. Luggage label maybe?

Anyone know what’s happened to the Christmas Chronicles 2024 thread - no messages for a couple of days now????

It ran out of space before @RainbowZebraWarrior could link to a new one; there's a thread 2 running now. 🙂

Link 🎄🎄🎄

Thanks for this. It was my fault that the thread ran out before I could make a new one. Never thought to post here.

I once put non toxic glitter in some plum jam. It looked pretty, but affected my asthma something rotten. I since bought some glitter gin liquer and the same thing happened. I won't touch anything that isn't totally natural now (I appreciate that I might be unusual here)

@DanceWithYourBalloon that all sounds very productive! Which part of France are you in? I'm near Avignon and we have Botanic which is good for Christmas decorations (they usually have nice stockings).

@LaChatte
I'm the other side of France near Agen. We are so rural and have to travel 40 mins just to get to Agen, let alone Toulouse or Bordeaux. 😂

But the retail park near Agen is pretty good, so I'll see if there is a Botanic around there.

Where are you getting your craft supplies? I've tried Action and Centrakor, which are fairly good for most things, ut I'd love to find an équivalant of Hobbycraft somewhere.

@DanceWithYourBalloon I get some things online (proper wool felt for example, could only find acrylic in shops). Mondial Tissus (or any huge fabric outlet) are great for fabric, thread, glue etc. We have a Cultura with lots of lovely but expensive supplies and Action for cheaper versions of pretty much the same things (quality isn't as good, so say you're using a machine such as a Cricut you definitely shouldn't use Action paper).
Otherwise I forage for things (pinecones, grape vine wood, leaves etc.) and ponce it up with metallic spray from Bricomarché.

@LaChatte
Oooo there's a Cultura in Agen. My husband will be pleased 😂
Thanks for the tips!

Hi all, I hope it's okay to join this far in to the thread. I've been lurking for years and admiring your poncing, but haven't been able to join in due to having a newborn last year and this year a very active 13 month old! I did, however, buy a glut of raspberries at the fruit and veg market this morning and plan on making raspberry gin. Any good recipes very much appreciated!

Can't help you with the gin @AliceTinkersAliceBand but welcome on board!