Special occasions & other celebrations

Hi everyone We thought it would be a fun poll to see who's giving them out this year. Do you normally give them out but cutting back this year, or switching to e-cards?

http://www.goodtoknow.co.uk/money/galleries/34315/cheap-christmas-dinner-for-under-20-2013 I know it wont suit everyone, but if you're on a tight budget.....

hi everyone i want to make some chocolate stirrers am i right in thinking it's just melted choc or do i have to add cream etc like a truffle? tia

Me and my wife are having Christmas dinner for her family for the first time this year. There will be 11 of us. Have started looking into and considering what we are gonna buy, turkey size etc. As we have never done it before and its our first christmas as a married couple in our new home - we are very new to this and need…

I love having little finger buffets over the Christmas period, but due to a severe lack of money this year I can't just nip to Iceland and buy most of the party food from there, so I wondered what ideas people could give me that are cheap, easy and fairly quick to make? I have a cheap freezer food shop near me in…

Has anyone used Christmas Scene Setters outdoors? I'm not really sure what they consist of by the description on fleabay (doh!), and was wondering how you would fix them, and if they would weather ok?

Just wondering if anyone has tried to make one of these? I'm making hampers & want to use a simple box with a lid that I can wrap up. Had a look at buying some and they ain't cheap.

Hi all, My mum turns 60 at the end of Jan and we have left it late to plan a surprize birthday party which is what she hinted a few months back that she wanted. We don't have massive funds to put on something mega and want to keep the budget low if we can and is why I am on here asking for ideas. The Venue we have managed…

I will be doing some hampers for the first time this year. I have some shredded paper and cellophane to make them look pretty but am wondering how to wrap them, I am going to gather the cellophane at the top and tie a ribbon round so think putting paper over this will look odd. I don't have any boxes suitable. I was…

Hi, I was wondering if anyone had been to he after dark Christmas event at kew gardens?:xmastree:

Hi I have an aunty and uncle in cali, and Id like to send them a small gift (some nice biscuits or similar) but I remember last year it being a hassle as websites either wouldnt accept uk payments or there was some other issue. I think I could use hersheys but wondered what others did? To buy here and post coats too much…

Hi guys, I wondered what your thoughts are on works christmas dos? Are they a good chance to catch up with colleagues outside of the work environment? Or an extra night out that you could really do without? This year, for the first year ever, our firm haven't organised an 'official' one. We used to get a three course meal…

Hi I was wondering when you guys reccomending putting up a real Christmas tree, we normally put ours up next weekend or so but I'm working most weekends leading up to Christmas this year and we always pick one out as a family so wondering if I could get away getting one today or if that extra week will end up making it…

What did u or the kids get in the advent calendar then? 1st dec Choc star in the choccy ones Choc balls n stickers in homemade one Little red moshi in micro one Pink princess in playmobil one.

I'm putting some outdoor lights up today (complete virgin!!) and I'm wandering about closing the window. Obviously plug is indoors so won't the cable be squashed?? Or do I leave it on vent.

About 20 years ago someone got me an M&S plain iced madeira cake. Pretty sure it had royal icing on top, a really thick layer, and came adorned with a little plastic holly leaf. Came in a red box. It was absolutely GORGEOUS. I've tried asking M&S if they still do them but got no reply. Has anyone seen them lurking in…

Ive decided to give my aunt & uncle a promise cheque book for Christmas. They are both in their 70's & whilst in good health my uncle has Alzheimers. My son used to pop round for a chat & help them in their garden however he's now in Australia for a year or so & my aunt misses him & conversations. So this is where my idea…

Can anyone recommend somewhere we can buy a Christmas Cake with Royal Icing on? Everywhere seems awash with fondant icing and I really dont like it. Last year we had one made but this year she's not doing them again :(

Hi everyone. Looking to use your collective knowledge. In the USA, there is a facility to buy an online visa gift card. You send it as a gift and the 'card number' can be used as a visa card to make online purchases. But I've not been able to find a UK equivalent. I want to buy an e-gift card so it can be sent by email,…

Just found a cross stitch embroidery site (looking for a present) that is offering 30% discount today as it's Black Friday. If you are, or if you are (like me) looking for a gift for someone who does cross stitch, then it's really worth a look. You can find them at crossstitchit.com