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".

🎄🎄🎄🎄

Oooh yes, however the silver is out of stock, I may have to rethink my tree colour scheme, it's been silver and white for a while now so maybe this is the shove I need to move on!

I had silver and white for years, then introduced some rose gold which worked really well. Turquoise accents also work well with silver and white (depending on your decor)

Are Christmas cakes and Christmas puddings poncey enough for this thread?! For the last few years I’ve tended to buy in but I’m feeling quite excited about Christmas this year and fancy getting into the spirit a bit early. Which recipes do people recommend? I tend to use Delia, but I’m open to suggestions. Also, I don’t drink alcohol myself and I appreciate the recipes will have alcohol in which is fine. But are there any alcohol free alternatives I could do in addition? Thanks very much!

Urgh, 20€ delivery, back to the drawing board!

Do you want a traditional fruit pudding or would you be up for chocolate?

Thanks for the update @RainbowZebraWarrior The photo of that three quarter (or two thirds?) filled bottle was distressing me so much that I was going to ask your address and send you DH’s bottle of Remy Martin to top it off.

(bet the puddings were lush that year!)

Probably traditional but open minded! Do you have a recipe in mind?

This one is amazing!

@Trumpton is that a wooden stapler you have there?

<toddles off to search up wooden staplers and misses the point of the photo>

Thanks so much @LemonTurdCart - what a fantastic site!

I didn't know you could look at Christmas magazines online with your library membership. I've kept back magazines from previous years and the prices I've seen this year are a bit much. It's usually a indulgence for me but might have to check out the library!

Hoping to make my own wreath this year

Has anyone had much success with making their own evergreen swags / table centrepieces? I'm looking for some inspiration for a few small nooks in the house that are too small for something really extravagant.

Also wondering how to ponce-ify our (currently) non-working fireplaces.

@ChiaraMontague you are welcome everything I’ve made from that site has come out well and non-vegans frequently ask for the recipe.

I’ve finished my jumper now so onto Christmas knitting! Just in time as wore my old winter woolly today and it’s more bobble than jumper
I think wrist warmers should be nice gifts. I’ve made gloves before and they came out surprisingly glove-shaped but too fiddly to be enjoyable.

Gardeners World: Creative Christmas magazine has loads of inspiration and instructions for house decorations.

@RainbowZebraWarrior

Oh well spotted! Yes a wooden stapler from Tiger Tiger a few years ago. Dgs spotted it today and wanted it as well. I used it to staple the lining paper and protective newspaper around the tins.

Anything that involves excessive faffing is poncey enough for here. 😁

Arguably, especially puddings, which require serious steaming when all the supermarkets sell pretty good ones.

I usually make Nigella's but you can't go wrong with Delia and here's what her website says about substituting the alcohol:

https://www.deliaonline.com/ask-lindsey/christmas-cake-and-christmas-pudding-without-the-alcohol

Filtered today the gingerbread gin, tested and it's delicious 😋
I have decided I am making the christmas cake, however I'm not sure about the "feeding" process. And what the purpose is?
Doesn't make it soggy? Or wet top, dry bottom?
How much liquid do you use for each feed?

@Lalanbaba which gingerbread gingerbread recipe did you use?

I follow Delias cake feeding instructions, making holes with a cocktail stick and pouring just a bit of brandy on each week. It's just a little compared to the volume of the cake and gets soaked in so not soggy.

https://www.deliaonline.com/how-to-cook/baking/delias-guide-to-storing-and-feeding-your-christmas-cake#:~:text=This%20is%20done%20by%20making,holes%20and%20permeate%20the%20cake.

Been making Delia's Christmas cake for years. Actually read the recipe to the end last year and she says TEASPOONS of brandy to feed the cake! All these years I've been pouring tablespoons. Some years it's proper sodden if I've been feeling generous with the booze. Guess it's traditional now, no one's ever complained.

Yes I usually make a table centre with a rectangular block of oasis and a saucer thingy. I use Christmas tree offcuts which you can get really easily, greenery out of the garden (mum and dad have a massive leylandii hedge which is very handy), holly from the woods and then I usually get some centrepiece flowers from the florist. Plus I put tall candles in.

what I really want is the greenery decorations that they have round their front doors in Belgium but I need to remodel our front porch to have a better door before I do that...

@HannahDefoesTrenchcoat
This one is the original recipe I use. But I do 1 l of gin, so it's less sweet and add ground ginger and crystallised ginger too.

@herecomesthesunyes Instead of soaking your fruit in alcohol, you can use cold tea. I have also been known to juice 6 oranges, heat to reduce a bit and use that, too.

And cooking Christmas puddings is one of the best uses for a crockpot.

Use a power point in a corner somewhere, put a bit of water in, pudding in, lid on and go out for the day. Or put it on last thing at night.

Thanks everyone! I think I’ll make an alcohol one and smaller non alcohol one. Although maybe the alcohol burns off if you’re cooking it after? Unlike the cake which gets “fed” brandy.