Christmas 09 Let's Get Organised!!

cdsmiler

princesswoo wrote: »

I am now disappearing for a week or so to have my daughter, she's not due to be born till thursday afternoon (c-section) but i'll be too busy tommorrow getting the last few bits ready to pop on. I'll get DF to pop on and give you all an update as soon as he can. Catch you soon ladies - hope i dont miss any good bargains in the meantime.

Ooooo good luck princesswoo!! We all want to see pictures when you're back!

We've pretty much finished decorating multiple rooms around the house, so with a bit more tidying this weekend, the house might feel finally tidy and homely!! We've also almost bought all the main baby bits we're going to need, so I can finally get back to concentrating on Christmas!!

I have a few bits already bought and stashed away, but no where near as organised as you ladies. I'm buying for my side, hubby for his side, with us working together to get joint friends and the children in the family (it's pretty much the children already bought for - Amazon's weekly deals have thrown out some good stuff over the past 2 months!).

I made food hampers last christmas, but because of the contents (shortbread, truffles & cake) they all had to be made pretty last minute to keep fresh. So that won't be happening with baby due mid-December!!! I'm going to be making some Jam though (pretty soon!).

Christmas cards - last year we used a picture we took on our honeymoon in kenya of 3 male lions, and I photoshop-ed some crowns on to them and put the tag line "We three kings..." - got them all printed (some silly deal at ASDA - cost pennies per photo), stuck them on cards, and hey presto!! This year, I can't think of anything as clever! lol So I'm cross stitching some cards for people who will actually appreciate it, and everyone else can just have bought cards. (Unless anyone can come up with something just as quirky as the Kings idea?!?!)

Result though - hubby for months has complained (gently - don't upset the pregnant lady!) whenever I mention Christmas presents (not Christmas itself as it'll be a bit of a military operation this year with new baby and families wanting to visit...), but yesterday he started the conversation about christmas himself and was telling me about a set of books he'd like to get his cousin!! But also that they were £10 and he really wanted to save money this year and spend a little yes! Yeay, MSE! lol

Registered with dooyoo now and aiming to get£20 Amazon voucher to buy an official £20 voucher from them for my friend and her son's joint movie hamper (they are a bit picky with films, so they can buy their own!).

Anyway, that's enough of my ramblings. Hoping to get to B&M very soon to hopefully pick up some more bargains! Wish they'd stay open a bit later into the evenings.....

Clare x

ellemm

MummyYummy - no expiry date on M&S paper vouchers, but if you don't spend the full amount they don't give change but give a plastic gift card to the amount instead which of course can be used at a later date.

kingshir

janeym8 wrote: »

thinking of making a christmas cake this year and as i noticed kingshir had made hers can i ask when is the best time to make it-ive never made one before
janey xxx

Hi Janey

I always make mine in September and then I 'feed' it with brandy every couple of weeks up to Xmas. (feed - poke the bottom of the cake with a toothpick and pour a capful of brandy in, leave to soak in and wrap up again in greaseproof and keep in an airtight container)

Also I don't use a traditional fruit cake recipe, I use something called a Boiled Fruit Cake one. It isn't boiled I hasten to add, but all the ingredients, except flour and eggs, are put in a saucepan and simmer for 20mins for so and then when cool the flour and eggs are added. It really is foolproof and make a very moist, delicious cake. It is also very adaptable and you can use only the dried fruits you prefer ( I use chopped dates, prunes, cherries and sultanas and no nuts or orange peel). I can post the basic recipe tomorrow if anyone wants it. My only other tip is make 2, one to eat now so you know if you like it!

SazM030306

Good luck Princess!!!!! Hope all goes to plan xxx xxx

kingshir

cheesy*wotsit wrote: »

Kingshir: I'm making mine this weekend, but need to know if poundland/equivalent do baking tins, etc? Not been in my new one yet.

Our poundland and 99p shop do but they are very thin so I think it would be adviseable to line them well.

queenb1981

princesswoo wrote: »

If anyone has a THORNTONS outlet centre near them or an outlet centre with a thorntons they do chocolate coins for 35p a bag i remember getting about 10 bags a few weeks back, dates go to feb 2010 i think.

I am now disappearing for a week or so to have my daughter, she's not due to be born till thursday afternoon (c-section) but i'll be too busy tommorrow getting the last few bits ready to pop on. I'll get DF to pop on and give you all an update as soon as he can. Catch you soon ladies - hope i dont miss any good bargains in the meantime.

Good luck, all the best for thursday.

foxy219

Firstly good luck Princesswoo!

Have been out and bought all the ingredients for Christmas cake today, am going to make two on Saturday once I've finished work - will engage OH help with the mixing - I think he actually enjoys it hee hee!
Also have told him he has to go in the attic and get the wrapping paper out as I can't get in my wardrobe for presents now - he used to moan about the amount of clothes, now its just presents.....

Have to be thrifty this month and be careful what else we buy, are both seriously overdrawn and need to dip into rainy day account to clear at least one of the overdrafts, times are tough - but I keep smiling my way through, with the help of all you MSE'ers of course xx

Rosie1978

Thanks to the poster who said about the hat boxes at Tesco - sorry I cant find the post!!. I keep trying to find these but not having much luck! I'll keep trying though as they'd be so perfect!!!

little_miss_moneysaver_3

kingshir wrote: »

Hi Janey

I always make mine in September and then I 'feed' it with brandy every couple of weeks up to Xmas. (feed - poke the bottom of the cake with a toothpick and pour a capful of brandy in, leave to soak in and wrap up again in greaseproof and keep in an airtight container)

Also I don't use a traditional fruit cake recipe, I use something called a Boiled Fruit Cake one. It isn't boiled I hasten to add, but all the ingredients, except flour and eggs, are put in a saucepan and simmer for 20mins for so and then when cool the flour and eggs are added. It really is foolproof and make a very moist, delicious cake. It is also very adaptable and you can use only the dried fruits you prefer ( I use chopped dates, prunes, cherries and sultanas and no nuts or orange peel). I can post the basic recipe tomorrow if anyone wants it. My only other tip is make 2, one to eat now so you know if you like it!

I was thinking of doing the boiled fruit cake instead of the traditional Christmas cake. I love it and always make two of them. Am making a "tea lovers" hamper so wanted to make one for him.

Do you use the marzipan and ice it the same way as you would a normal Xmas cake? Better make sure I have a properly airtight tin! Also this may sound daft, but what brandy do you use, I mean we don't drink it so we'd buy some. Is cheap brandy ok?

LMMS

kingshir

little_miss_moneysaver wrote: »

I was thinking of doing the boiled fruit cake instead of the traditional Christmas cake. I love it and always make two of them. Am making a "tea lovers" hamper so wanted to make one for him.

Do you use the marzipan and ice it the same way as you would a normal Xmas cake? Better make sure I have a properly airtight tin! Also this may sound daft, but what brandy do you use, I mean we don't drink it so we'd buy some. Is cheap brandy ok?

LMMS

Brilliant addition to the 'tea lovers' hamper! :T

Yes, I marzipan and ice it exactly the same way and as to the brandy, I use the Sainsbury own brand stuff at approx £6.50 a bottle. It seems a waste to use expensive stuff!