Christmas 09 Let's Get Organised!!

cdsmiler

Morning all!

Just wanted to share an interesting site for those of you who LOVE the Christmas TV listings each year! Granted, they're not as exciting as THIS years, but it's still facinating!! http://sites.google.com/site/ukchristmastv/Home

Enjoy!!

Clare x

ASC

Happy Friday 13th everyone :eek:

Roll on Monday - I get paid so I can finally finish my shopping! I still need:
Dolls high chair for DD (Toys R Us)
Liquorice Allsorts mugs for FIL (Matalan, I hope they still have them!)
Camera case for DH (probably ebay)
Key finder for DH (Hawkins Bazar)
Whiskey miniatures for friends "warming" hamper (still don't know where to get these from! Hoping to spend about £5 max so internet is out)
Chocolate coins for DS & DD stockings (probably Tesco if they're still BOGOF)

And these are not vital but would be nice to have:
Slippers for DS Christmas Eve hamper
Slippers for MIL film hamper (most people get snuggly socks but I can't see her wearing them...)

Also need to get DS & DD to make a selection of bookmarks for Grandads reading hamper and finish a cross stitch which I started ages ago and got bored with so did some knitting instead - oops Oh, and get a frame for it too!

Seems like a lot considering how much is stuffed in the attic and the present cupboard! Mind you, being finished by the end of November isn't a bad position to be in

I shant start wrapping until December, I like that to feel festive so once the tree is up, I usually wait for DH to go out, light a fire and have a glass or two of something yummy. Probably ought to start writing the cards in small batches though 'cos that does sometimes feel like a chore...

A x


PS. I'd like more info on coffee wine too please. I'm guessing it's too late to do anything about it this year but my father is a major coffee addict so it could be an interesting idea for him next year perhaps?

kjmtidea

I love reading through here and looking at everyones ideas! I have just ordered a few more bits from Tesco and HMV for the kids so I am getting there. My boyfriend and I always just buy a few dvds and a wii game that we want, wrap them up and claim they are from Father Christmas!

kingshir

I make 'country wines' which is just a fancy way of saying fruit wines:p The blackerry wines are young but very tasty and alcoholic. The sloe gin, damson gin, damson vodka and blackberry whisky will all be ready ready for xmas (haven't made the blackberry whisky before but have very high hopes for it:D)

Right the coffee wine. This is the simplest wine in the world to make. The one I'm 'sampling' now was made in July and was bottled in September and I added the brandy and rum at the start of this month. The recipe is -

5 rounded tbs spoons ordinary instant coffee
3 lbs sugar (I used white this time, next time I'm going to try brown to see if there is any noticable difference) If you prefer a much sweeter wine add another 8oz.
1 gallon hot water
Yeast (any sort, I used bakers yeast as that was all I had at the time)

Put the sugar, coffee and water (in that order) into a bucket and stir well. Cover with a cloth and keep somewhere warm.Stir daily for 3 days then add the yeast, continue to stir daily and then on the 7th day put it into a demijohn and fit an airlock. Again keep it somewhere warm and leave to ferment. Mine was finished in approx 6 weeks and then I bottled it and put it in the garage (cool helps it clear quickly). It is ready to drink once it is clear, please be aware that it does taste of coffee! I added the brandy and rum (separately of course) to add a bit of depth (and because I like experimenting) approx 2-3 caps of brandy and (because I like dark rum) 4-6 caps of the rum. I should think Tiara Maria or Baileys would be nice too.

6 bottles of coffee wine costs less than a pound (not including spirits) to make so if you're not mad keen on it then you haven't lost a lot of money when you thrown it away.:D I posted the details originally on the Preparing for Winter Thread and I know some folk were going to try it. I'll pop over and see how they got on with it and report back if you like. :beer:

junior_j

:beer: Well done every body!

I got my Godson some Disney cars - underwear asdas 1/2 sale so got them for 2 pounds!

Matalan have paper back Thomas the tank engine books for 1 pound and better quality bigger hard book Thomas the tank books for 2 pounds.

Also asdas have childrens clothes half price at mo!

I have barely any money in my account and the end of Novembers pay will be bad because i have had 2.5weeks of due to tonsils coming out xx aah man.

Jess x

chickywiggle

I've just ordered 40 chocolate coins for £1.30 with £1 P&P off ebay shop with great feedback- I'm gonna put them in purses so didn't nead them in nets. I think thats a fab price??!!

Not sure I can post the seller on here but if you'd like to know drop me a PM. They have LOADS of retro sweets I could have spent a fortune!!!

chickywiggle

ohhh also - Somerfield have their own version of after eights and orange thins (orange creame on choclate - look like after eights) for £1 a box at the moment.

yippee_kye_yay

i had a £20 marks and spencers voucher which was left over from when i reccomended my brother to sky in april. i forgot all about it and found it today in my purse.
i got dd and ds a stocking £5 each but NOT in the 3 for 2
a gift set for my mums birthday this week which will be opened and used to fill up the top of her 3 hatboxes £9.50

so that should have been £19.50 but they went through the till as a 3 for 2 (even tho the SA said they wouldnt) so it was only £14.50

when the kids went to bed tonight i dragged all the stuff to put in the stockings to see if they fit. they do put only just!! way too much there, never mind!

ive got some sticky backed foam xmas shapes from poundshop for the kids to use when making xmas cards - its quite a big tub so may do us next year too.

other than that mil bought me a card hanging thingymejig

thats the only xmassy stuff i have to report god i hate being a pauper!!!

ragz_2

chickywiggle wrote: »

I've just ordered 40 chocolate coins for £1.30 with £1 P&P off ebay shop with great feedback- I'm gonna put them in purses so didn't nead them in nets. I think thats a fab price??!!

Not sure I can post the seller on here but if you'd like to know drop me a PM. They have LOADS of retro sweets I could have spent a fortune!!!

I think you get about 20 in a normal bag/net and as a lot of places have them for a £1 and BOGOF wouldn't that be cheaper?

chickywiggle

ragz wrote: »

I think you get about 20 in a normal bag/net and as a lot of places have them for a £1 and BOGOF wouldn't that be cheaper?

Love to know where you shop - I don't think I've ever had 20 in a net. As I said - I THINK it is a bargin - haven't told people they HAVE TO shop there. But hey thanks for the concern.