Christmas 09 Let's Get Organised!!

fedupandskint

kingshir wrote: »

Also I don't use a traditional fruit cake recipe, I use something called a Boiled Fruit Cake one. 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!

It sounds great! I would love it if you could post the recipe as I have been inspired to make a cake this year for Christmas for the first time.

Is September the best time to bake it?

yippee_kye_yay

good luck princesswoo!

giftcards that i have recently had sainsburys, tescos, boot and think a marks and spencers one too, have all had an expiry of 2 years from date of purchase it usually says on the back of the card, but if in doubt ask at the till.

re christmas cakes i would really like to make 2 this year for the inlaws and my nanna, but not done one before so would also like to see the recipe please and also can anyone tell me the average price of making one would be? because i have everyone on a budget and if it costs a lot ill feel i have to make up other peoples presents with the same amount, if you get what i mean?!

i was in morrisons today and they have put out all their xmas advent calendars and sweets, i got all excited!! luckily i was with my mum whos as big a xmas nut as i am (wonder where i get it from?!) so i didnt have to hide my excitement!

presents wise, i have bought a dvd each for my little brother (10) and nephew (12) for their movie hampers; its a 3 disc boxset with fantastic 4, electra and daredevil in for £3.99. hopefully they will like them! i have budgeted £10 for the dvds each so they still have another £6 to go, but not sure what else to add in there?

in asda the other day i got a kilner jar for £1 which i will either fill up with 365 qoutes or jokes for my stepdads joke hamper. i have also just finished a jar of coffee so i will use the jar (has a push in lid, not a screw one) to do a cookie mix and pop it into the kids xmas eve hamper methinks!

been thinking hard about what to get my stepdad for his present and was clearing out the top of the wardrobe and came across all dh's bonsai stuff, which he has never used; dh always wanted a bonsai tree (obviously grew upin the 80s, watching karate kid!) so bought all the stuff to grow his own as its quite expensive to buy a grown one. but he was too impatient to wait for it to grow so never bothered with the stuff!
so anyhow, we're going to repackage and give it to my stepdad! i feel a bit of a cheapskate, but everything is new and i think he would really like this. i asked my mum and she thinks he will love it so there you go! just need to buy some soil/basket/cellophane/ribbon.

i also found a hot chocolate toppings giftset, i have no idea where it has come from! dh says it must be mine as im the only one that drinks it but neither of us remember buying it, or anyone giving me it! it has chocolate and marshmallows in but is dated april 2009 so that all went in the bin. it also has a little chocolate grater and battery powered whisk/frother so i have kept these to add to a gift. however i dont have anyone to give it to! it would be perfect for my sister but we only buy for the kids now. so i dont know whether to keep it for her birthday which isnt until july, or 'treat' myself?!?

little_miss_moneysaver_3

Right have baked 4 "Christmas" cakes this evening. Will save two for Christmas. Am seeing my Godmother tomorrow so take her one and no doubt my OH will devour the other. Got the cheap brandy, thought i'd try a bit as never had it before (well that I remember). Oh boy it definately warmed me up! Burnt my insides! Won't be trying that again hehe.

fedupandskint

Just put together the sweetie jar for OH

Kilner style Jar £1 Mr A
Swizzlers Sweets Multi Large Pack £1
Haribo Star Mix Multi Pack of small bags £1

Total £3 :j

Looks great, stuffed the jam packed full with the sweets (minus 3-4 mini love hearts packs and parma violets, can't think where they went! :rotfl::rotfl:)

Just need to work out where to print off a label style to fix onto the jar

Does anyone know of any printable templates?

curlylou1986

Hey all, not b een on here for few days - loads to catch up on! lol. loving the ideas - the hamper boxes stacked like that is such a good idea! i remember seeing ones all ready made for something silly like £40! and they werent very big and didnt have much in them! I am making hampers for our best friends as a couple, so am temptep now to try and get some nice boxes and do alternative layers of bits for them like that....think a trp to tescos is in need; plus the double points is even more of a winner!

I am not sure how much they are but the sainsburys near me (quite a big store) has gold coins in there all year round in the sweet section where all the candy 'cigerettes' etc are, though the thorntons offer sounds good! trip to freeport for local outlet of that too!

had an idea about the stir fry hamper fedupandskint is doing - what about some nice bowls and spoons that are porcelin? not sure what called but they are called though sorry! you could get a pack of dried noodles too to add so they all ready. Think blue dragon do a good range of sauces etc - perhaps some sachets of different cook in sauces to add, they normally around 60p - be some good little fillers!
also what about some sakie (sp?) be a bit more of a treat but be an idea to add!

yippee_kye_yay

cant blame you for eating the parma violets, i love em!

my [EMAIL="sainsburys@jackons"]sainsburys@jackons[/EMAIL] (do they have these is all towns?) has the chocolate coins in now.

i was in morrisons today and they had a range of stir in sauces in the pouches half price i think they were 47p each, i cant remember the brand, but i know its a big one!

fedupandskint

Thanks yipee and curly - will make a note of your ideas and take a little trip to Morriblobs to have a nosey at the sauces - i think Sharwoods are on offer there.

Will get some nice thick soba noodles from Mr T's too now you have reminded me about this!

He already has some lovely Denby bowls to use so no need for these or any cutlery. Will see if I can get some japanese beer or sake if it comes in a small bottle as he is not a big drinker at all so the beer is probably better.

Thanks again as all the help is great in putting a plan and ideas together.

I had a look today in Mr T ( a huge store) and no sight of the hatboxes anywhere to use for hampers which was a shame as I wanted a set to use for mum. Did you get them from Mr T or online?

janeym8

thanks for all the replies about the christmas cakes -i got the nigella book from santa last year and was going to try her one but would love to see the boil one kingshir plzzzzz im really not much of a baker and dont want to waste money on all the ingredients for it not to turn out.
was in "in store" today which is kind of like HB and is where poundstretchers was so similar type shop and they had silicon ice cube trays they kind where there is a stick down the middle of the ice cubes so you have an ice twizzle stick for your drinks-perfect for my cocktail hampers-reduced to 74p
now DD2 needs puter to book a megabus

janey xxx

sunrise27_2

fedupandskint wrote: »

Just put together the sweetie jar for OH

Kilner style Jar £1 Mr A
Swizzlers Sweets Multi Large Pack £1
Haribo Star Mix Multi Pack of small bags £1

Total £3 :j

Looks great, stuffed the jam packed full with the sweets (minus 3-4 mini love hearts packs and parma violets, can't think where they went! :rotfl::rotfl:)

Just need to work out where to print off a label style to fix onto the jar

Does anyone know of any printable templates?

my son would love this
is Mr A asdas ??

yippee_kye_yay

fedupandskint wrote: »

I had a look today in Mr T ( a huge store) and no sight of the hatboxes anywhere to use for hampers which was a shame as I wanted a set to use for mum. Did you get them from Mr T or online?

it was in store. they were all inside the bigger one and wrapped in cellophane. tbh i didnt know what they were at 1st, just saw the price and thought the design looked nice so i pulled them open and realised it was a set of hatboxes!