In Preparation For Christmas Today I Will.....

[onlyhereforthechristmaschat]

...clean out the freezer and make a meal plan to use everything up before December.

I hope you don't mind me starting this thread this year @beautifulsunflowers I absolutely loved this last year. I watched from afar and followed along doing one thing everyday to spread the cost, time, energy and Christmas cheer throughout November and December.

What is one thing you plan to do today to get organised?

Great idea for a thread.

Ooh I’ve never had a Christmas planner, going to get one for next year!

Good morning everyone, so pleased to see lots of people in the midst of getting organised. Today I’m going shopping with DH for DNephews birthday gift and hopefully we’ll pick up a few Christmas bits as well. I’m going to venture up the loft and see what gifts I’ve already got. I’ve already set up my spreadsheet so will add to that.
I'm in need of a good declutter so I've put a few bits on Vinted this morning. There is a fantastic CHRISTMAS CLEANALONG thread that's helping me to stop procrastinating and get this house sorted so I'll continue to chip away at the kitchen today as well.

I have this one from Sostrene Grene 🎅🏻

I love notebooks and lists

Today I shall be tidying the front garden. I know that doesn't sound Christmassy but it's all about sorting it now so that when I put up the outdoor lights in a few weeks, it will be much easier to do.

I was looking at this just yesterday whilst browsing all their fabulous tree decorations.

Sod all! Christmas is cancelled this year as I’ll be 9 months pregnant, have gestational diabetes so I can’t have any treats or carbs and our house is being ripped apart for renovations. Christmas can do one!

Wondering if anyone can help...
I'm trying to order Christmas cards from the whistlefish website. It says 15 cards for 10 pounds but now I've put 15 cards in my basket , it says £28. I can't see a code to input or anything. Has anyone else had any luck? Anyone fancy having a look for me?

@MrsMitford3 - I hadn't heard of Sostrene Grene before. Wow, beautiful products!

I've just checked whistle fish added 15 to basket
This is what comes up for me

I did more than planned yesterday. I was planning to just wrap the teachers etc presents. As well as that, DC wrote their Santa letters and I bought new decorations for around the house.

Today My plan was to figure out what we will eat on Christmas eve and Christmas day for starters, main and desserts and I have that planned now 🙂

Friday 1st I audited the freezer and made a meal plan to use some stuff up.

Yesterday I bought new outside lights for the back garden.

This morning I am making the Christmas cakes (fruit went into soak a month ago...)

Continue refusing to engage with anything Christmas related until Stir-Up Sunday when the pudding has to be made. And continue moaning about anything Christmas related being in the shops because it is still far too early.

Bake the second Christmas cake - not decided whether I'll use the air fryer or oven yet 🤔

The thermostat in the oven's knackered & I forget every year to adjust the cooking times of the cakes and at least one ends up frazzled round the edges 🙄

How would you cook it in the air fryer? Would you use a silicone tin?

I know it is not Stir-Up Sunday yet however my cake is now in the oven cooking. I do have other fruit soaking in case this one goes wrong.. 😂

Brilliant thank you. Will try again

Ooh, @declutteringonedayatatime I hadn't considered the tin! Looooow oven it is!

Have just tried again and it's still coming up as 28 pound!" Omg! So frustrating!!!

Good woman, off to check freezer. Will report back.

@Bigearringsbigsmile

I hadn't heard of this deal or website, thanks for putting me onto it!

I was having the same problem as you, 15 for £28 until i went back through my list and realised one of my 'cards' was infant a tin! Not sure how I added it thinking it was a card. Once I removed and added another card it came down to the £10.

I did spot a receipe where they used the actual tin inside the slow-cooker and placed it onto an upturned item before adding water. It was more steam-based and not oven-based,

Found some VERY interesting stuff! Thanks. Some very expensive meat DH bought that got caught in a freezer defrosting incident but I’ll fully defrost and smell to see if it can be used. Found nice big chunk of last years ham! I always get a massive one as a gift so cut in half for Christmas and then usually get 4 more hams out of it for other times. So found the last one.

Done freezer stock take following the trend here. I need to make room for bargain meat ordered that I will pick up next week, and coming batch cooking for Xmas.
Have filtered one batch of blackberry whiskey.
And got some little cards for the little one classmates. Last year almost couldn't find them as left it too late

Yes!!!! That's the problem!
All sorted and ordered now- thank you!!

Ok so in case it helps others so far:

• 11yr old DS made mincemeat.
• I’ve ordered my M&S and Sainsbury’s Christmas food and got a Sainsbury’s slot for Christmas Eve delivery. Also filled basket with nice things I might want.
• Deep clean of sitting room and boot room including fireplaces of both.
• picked up so seasonal cushions from Ikea and a couple of decs
• started gift lists and am hunting down cheapest prices.
• Booked a Christmas afternoon dinner on 23rd overlooking city Christmas market for family day out (Santa is a bit crap and expensive these days so this should hit the Christmas spirit for us)
• booked panto - DD (8) is in the production
• started meal plan for 20 Dec to Jan 1. I try have homemade burritos etc in freezer for days in between so cooking is very very minimal