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Christmas Plans

Kiwisaver_2
Posts: 1,169 Forumite
I know, I know it still seems ages away but already I am thinking of what to do for Christmas. Just trying to be thrifty and put things by if I see them on specials and thinking it would be a good idea to have at least a loose meal plan in my head, so I don't run off like a headless chicken loading up the cupboards with stuff that'll never get used.
Christmas is a bit weird for me here in NZ, torn between summery BBQs and the traditional British roast bird and all the trimmings. I have tried both ways and been rarely satisfied with the outcome, so I'm looking for some inspiration and fresh ideas.
I have never thought about Christmas this early on, so it must be playing on my mind somewhat. I even had a rummage around the garage today to check we have working tree lights and pleased to find they're working fine and decided we're having a silver theme with the Christmas decos.
Is anyone else making plans already, meal plans, fresh ideas, new recipes?
Christmas is a bit weird for me here in NZ, torn between summery BBQs and the traditional British roast bird and all the trimmings. I have tried both ways and been rarely satisfied with the outcome, so I'm looking for some inspiration and fresh ideas.
I have never thought about Christmas this early on, so it must be playing on my mind somewhat. I even had a rummage around the garage today to check we have working tree lights and pleased to find they're working fine and decided we're having a silver theme with the Christmas decos.
Is anyone else making plans already, meal plans, fresh ideas, new recipes?
Mortgage
Start January 2017: $268,012
Latest balance $266,734
Reduction: $1,278.45
Start January 2017: $268,012
Latest balance $266,734
Reduction: $1,278.45
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Comments
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I've been 'goody stashing' for a couple of months.
Bought a large storage container (reduced price in a sale of course) yesterday to put it all in for the time being as everything was hidden in various cupboards, wardrobes etc. When you do this kind of thing, it's necessary to double-check dates before storing stuff for any length of time.
Quite pleased with my little haul so far AND now I know what else I need to think about.
Hoping to get it so that I don't have to think about food shopping with December wages (apart from fresh milk, fruit, veggies and bread).0 -
We do this every year - start shopping early, putting aside things as we run across them, and start picking up some grocery items ahead of time (nonperishables and alcohol generally). It makes it sooo much easier on the budget than one big hit right before Christmas. Although we have a free week for rent that week, so that helps a little bit as well!MSE mum of DS(7), and DS(4) (and 2 adult DCs as well!)DFW Long haul supporters No 210:snow_grin Christmas 2013 is coming soon!!! :xmastree:0
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Re fresh recipes for Christmas.
Have a think about what you really like about Christmas food:-
is it feeling stuffed and spoiled? This is likely to happen whatever you eat on a feast day, but I would have thought that you would enjoy something a bit lighter than Christmas pud!
Is the weather more wintery by Easter?
How about having your roast and pud then, and having light but treaty foods at Christmas?
I'm thinking fish, exotic fruit ice cream etc. Remember, what we think of as traditional Christmas food is a) relatively recent and b) based entirely on what can be preserved/stored for winter eating in the Northern hemisphere.
Add up the cost of Christmas food from last year, and then work out which special treats you can get yourselves for the money! Don't think Christmas so much as celebration feast, and don't get trapped in the kitchen steaming and roasting yourself and the food when the sun is shining etc.0 -
One of the shops had some Pork Ribbe on special offer so will be having that for Christmas! I just love that crackling..Mmmmm!
I'll be making some pumpkin bread and muffins over the weekend I think so gonna put the pumpkin bread in the freezer and have that with some ice-cream for Christmas pud.
*If you like the advice I give...let me know by clicking the THANKS button*
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Could you post your recipe for pumpkin bread? Sounds really interesting.0
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Could you post your recipe for pumpkin bread? Sounds really interesting.
Sure, here ya go
Pumpkin Bread
1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree
4 eggs
1 cup vegetable oil
2/3 cup water
3 cups white sugar
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour three 7x3 inch loaf pans.
In a large bowl, mix together pumpkin puree, eggs, oil, water and sugar until well blended. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and ginger. Stir the dry ingredients into the pumpkin mixture until just blended. Pour into the prepared pans.
Bake for about 45-50 minutes in the preheated oven.
If you are making muffins they take about 15 mins or so mins..keep an eye on both the muffins and tins though.*If you like the advice I give...let me know by clicking the THANKS button*
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some things are probably easier to change than others LOL how about making a christmas pud icecream instead of having it hot? Not got a recipe as such but I think I'd use lumps of rich fruit cake in a plainish icecream, not vanilla, probably something like zabaglione. Should hit all the taste memories without being hot and heavy.Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants - Michael Pollan
48 down, 22 to go
Low carb, low oxalate Primal + dairy
From size 24 to 16 and now stuck...0 -
Delia's Christmas pud ice cream recipe:
http://www.deliaonline.com/recipes/type-of-dish/sweet/iced-christmas-pudding-with-glace-fruits.html
lime and mango ice cream:
http://www.deliaonline.com/recipes/type-of-dish/summer-desserts/ice-cream/lime-and-mango-ice-cream.html
cranberry sorbet:
http://www.waitrose.com/recipe/Christmas_Sorbet_with_Cranberries.aspx
In The Josceline Dimbleby Christmas book (library?) she makes a 'bombe' with red cranberries and puts golden fruit ice cream in it - looks divine!0 -
Norditcat, that bread sounds yummy - we've got loads of pumpkin to use up so this would be a good addition to our list. Do you bake this in loaf tins? Would you use 2x1lb tins? Does it rise a fair bit? ThanksWeight loss - here we go again - watch this space!
US...........And them............0 -
Just made a batch of pumpkin bread goodies with my recipe. Made 12 med. size muffins (for us to munch on now) and a loaf. Now to let it cool and store the loaf away and forget about til christmas otherwise we'll eat it up haha.
House smells lovely though*If you like the advice I give...let me know by clicking the THANKS button*
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