OS Yuletide...what have you made so far??

InfamyInfamy

OK...so with the credit crunch I have decided to make as many yuletide presents as I can. I know some people turn their nose up at our homemade offerings so have decided to buy one item and add a homemade item to it!

So far I have made:
Sloe Gin (For posh friends!!!)
Hung up chilli's to infuse in oil (posh friends again!)
Felt hanging decorations (Nieces)
Knitted sparkly purse (SIL)
Soap (add to various people or stockings)

What have you done so far or plan to do?

Katharine

Well done you! Personally if I gave someone a homemade pressie and they turned their nose up at it they wouldn't be getting anything next year! Some people dont seem to realise it is easy to throw some money at a pressie but takes time and effort to make one.

Last year I made all my Xmas pressies they were, foraged then marinated chanterelles, chilli and orange and whisky and ginger truffles, foraged wines and pfeffernusse. I haven't decided what I'm going to make this year, if anything as have to sort the garden for spring. What remains of the preserves I have already made this year I want to keep!

Butterfly_Brain

So far I have made
3 Christmas Cakes (1 for me and 2 for pressies)
Christmas pudding
Green Tomato Chutney
Pickled Beetroot
I am pickling onions and making picalili today

I have knitted 3 scarves, 2 jumpers and one cardigan and am goin to make 3 Aran jumpers 1 for each of my great nieces (4 yrs 2 yrs, and 1 yr old) so they won't take very long
Crocheted 2 blankets (1 is for MIL who loved the one I made for my bed last year) So that is another pressie
I have also knitted lots of mini Christmas stockings for the school where my DH works (The teachers want to put little sweets in them to give to their classes)
I am going to have a go at HM Tia Maria this year plus flavoured Vodka and HM Cointreau.
Next week I will be making Sausage Rolls, Mince Pies, Cheese Straws and Cheese and onion rolls and freezing them.
I am making wheat bags for presents and have already got most of my pressies for the kids.
When that lot is all finished I will have to find something else to do!

Paulie'sGirl

That's a cracking start Infamy.

So far I've made tomato chutney (ageing nicely in the garage), mango chutney (ALDI super 6 mangos, cheap as chips but delicious!!), and have a massive bag of pickling onions I'm going to start on this afternoon.

I was also thinking of a granola-type offering and some HM truffles. I was going to bundle all of said goodies into wicker baskets from IKEA and wrap in florists cellophane.

I've placed my meat order, and have started buying the ingredients for my pudding and mince meat. I was thinking of giving small jars of mincemeat if I get chance...

And I agree with Katherine, if they don't like it, I'll take it back

memelalou

I've made four christmas cakes which just need icing. Didn't even need to buy any brandy as i got some left from last christmas.
I'm making people little hampers with HM christmas cake, HM mince pies, HM cranberry sauce, HM chocolate truffles and little things i have brought through the year when on offer like hot chocolate, tea and coffee.
Every adult couple is getting one of my hampers. The only people i'm actually buying presents for is children.

Butterfly_Brain

Paulies girl I get all my baskets from poundland and 99p stores.
DD has just come home from being out on the razzle last night and has bought me a fiskars applique kit (She got it from THE WORKS for £4.99)
Oooh I am going to have to make a quilt now.:rotfl:

InfamyInfamy

Wow! You all seem so organised! This is the first time I have had a go at HM presents so have alot to learn! I am loving your ideas....please keep them coming!!
:T

funkymonkey849

I have made one scarf and two in progress. I am also making a tote bag. I am supplementing my gifts with car boot bargains or bought presents, depending on the person.

kacie

So far I've done pickled onions, may try making some gifts and decorations

purpleivy

A few weeks ago my parents came to stay while my dad convalesced. Mum and I made a mammoth Christmas pud. Now I find that my MIL wants to cook Christmas dinner, so I've offered it to her to use.

What else? Well, don't usually go to Mr T, but went after their special offer ariel the other day. WHole salmon were £3.49/kg, so got one for £13.50. Would have been rude not to! That will do for Christmas eve dinner. Will get a ham for boxing day perhaps.

Planning to do some home made pate. Above all I'm going to be cooking to a plan and not just doing the 'in case' (in case there is a nuclear war and we can't get to the shops?) thing again.

Got loads of wine for a party the other week and didn't use much, so that's all there waiting, got plenty of other booze in so just need some mixers.

Present list not complete but under control. Bought some cards and will make some as well.

Any way, it's my birthday before Christmas, why are we worrying about Christmas!

x_zombie_x

Butterfly_Brain wrote: »

So far I have made
3 Christmas Cakes (1 for me and 2 for pressies)
Christmas pudding
Green Tomato Chutney
Pickled Beetroot
I am pickling onions and making picalili today

I have knitted 3 scarves, 2 jumpers and one cardigan and am goin to make 3 Aran jumpers 1 for each of my great nieces (4 yrs 2 yrs, and 1 yr old) so they won't take very long
Crocheted 2 blankets (1 is for MIL who loved the one I made for my bed last year) So that is another pressie
I have also knitted lots of mini Christmas stockings for the school where my DH works (The teachers want to put little sweets in them to give to their classes)
I am going to have a go at HM Tia Maria this year plus flavoured Vodka and HM Cointreau.
Next week I will be making Sausage Rolls, Mince Pies, Cheese Straws and Cheese and onion rolls and freezing them.
I am making wheat bags for presents and have already got most of my pressies for the kids.
When that lot is all finished I will have to find something else to do!

oooh how do you make tia maria and cointreau? can u post the recipe?

Thanks xxx