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".

🎄🎄🎄🎄

Love the table settings @Trumpton !

@Trumpton your cutlery is gorgeous. Yes, I think some jewel like beads on the Christmas trees would look beautiful.

@NowLightOneThousandChristmasLights I've just realised that your Nisser are Maileg. Guess what's now top of my list to buy in Copenhagen next month!?

@StiffyByngsDogBartholomew that copy of rebbecca looks sublime!!
Absolutely beautiful ❤️❤️.
I've been looking for a copy of the woman in white.

@plominoagain I’ve had success with the vegan banoffee pie from the carnation website. Non vegans enjoyed it. https://www.carnation.co.uk/recipes/all-carnation-vegan-recipes?page=1

I’ve done the key lime pie too and it was neither memorably good nor bad

@RainbowZebraWarrior I love the Maileg aesthetic. Hope you can find some lovely things when you're there. 🎄🎄🎄

Hello. How's everyone doing? Can't believe it's 1st Decemeber on Sunday. My diary is starting to fill up, (nothkng exciting; appointments and MOT etc) and I'm aware time is running out to do, make and enjoy the run up to Christmas. DD and I have had a chat about it this morning and we shall be doing a joint planner on Sunday.

Made my cakes earlier this week and have just bought some gingerbread baubles to decorate instead of a gingerbread house which is always wasted. Am also going to pay a neighbours son to put my outside lights up at the weekend. Exciting!

@NoWordForFluffy did you do your wreath?

I’m making pan forte tomorrow because I am seeing a friend on Saturday.

Christmas cards next week.

Finished all my Christmas cards. Now stamps on and ready to post next week.
Still playing with pace settings. I like theses tiny stars.

Your place settings look gorgeous @Trumpton. And your cutlery is stunning.

Ive been pretty lax on anything Christmas related. Definitely not as crafty or artistic as some of you.

Have been deep cleaning the house in preparation for putting the Christmas decorations up next week. Hopefully the outside lights will go up on Saturday. And on Sunday it will be bringing all the boxes down from the attic. Which is a three person job. There are a lot of boxes!

Going to Costco tomorrow too and maybe the garden centre. We have two empty planters outside the front door so I’m hoping to get some red cyclamen and ivy to plant in them. And my wreath is red. Hoping to manage to put some battery lights around it this year too.

I did, @RainbowZebraWarrior. I'll share a photo once it's on the door. It was delayed due to the wind!

Aaaaaand I bought more felt patterns on Etsy because she's doing 20% off today for thanksgiving. Also I'm off work for a couple of weeks and need to rest so I'll have that to keep me busy.

I've bought a load of felt today too. I'm making these for my Christmas Day lunch settings

My original project is trucking along nicely too, a couple more quiet afternoons and lunch breaks should do it

Those felt creations are mighty impressive @StiffyByngsDogBartholomew I bought a load of felt, too. I then found the felt I bought last year... I have some roving that I'm more likely to do something with.

Happy Thanksgiving to anyone who celebrates.

@StiffyByngsDogBartholomew they're gorgeous 🥰

I'm slowly chugging away at my church. Not managing much in the week but it's getting there.

Sorry to hear about the delay due to wind, Fluffy. Can't believe how much of the UK has been battered with wind and rain this past week. We've largely escaped unscathed here the NE of England.

Oh they're lovely @StiffyByngsDogBartholomew , can't wait to see photos of the place setting bits.

So many lovely things.
I am off to London on Tuesday, for family visits and <<squee>> Matthew Bourne Swan Lake. V v excited.

I have seen it once before and have tickets to see it again. It's wonderful. Enjoy :)

I so enjoy looking at everyone’s projects ! Am utterly hopeless at sewing , but good with handing over money so am going to the village craft fair this afternoon to take advantage of other people’s skills instead . Got a phone call from carpet company yesterday to say they can fit it on Monday morning , so this weekend is going to be spent finishing the painting and the last two cakes . That and I clearing out the Christmas larder. What fun !

Our tree is up (I don't really like it, although it's pre-lit so convient), I've sent DH out to buy some tree branches to decorate the banister which will give us the Christmas smell and wow factor the tree just isn't giving. I'll use some to make a nice wreath too. DD's boyfriend is coming over tomorrow though so I need to do some housework before I advance with the poncing though 😠

Well the tree is up. DP is away till the middle of December at least so only opportunity to get everything from the loft. And the only place for the tree is up 😂

Went to the school Christmas fair today which was lovely

My bonkers tree is out. (I can't say 'up', as it stays up and fully decorated each year in the large hallway cupboard) I can't put it in the window as usual as it stresses our cat out when he can't access the windowsill, so its sort of behind the door. I also shared my wreath on here a week or so ago, and said I was going to felt a little mouse to go next to the toadstool. Well here he is. I've called him Mr Fuzzy Wig.

Ooh, @Trumpton how marvellous that you're going to see MB's Swan Lake. I've seen it many times as it's my absolute favourite. Have a wonderful time!

It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas 😊

That mouse is wonderful @RainbowZebraWarrior !

Oh it's the cutest! 😍😍